Marianne Santo, three-time president of Eastern Produce Council and senior category manager of produce and floral at Wakefern Food Corp., died Sept. 24. She was 61.
“We, as a board, are trying to absorb this very sad news and will miss our loyal friend dearly,” EPC Executive Director Susan McAleavey Sarlund said in a Sept. 26 newsletter to members.
She wrote the letter with Theresa Lowden, EPC vice president and executive vice president of produce and floral at JOH.
Marianne Santo talks to the crowd during the 2022 New York Produce Show. (Photo: Amy Sowder)
Santo worked more than 38 years at Wakefern, based in Keasbey, N.J., one of the largest retailer-owned cooperatives in the U.S. with 362 retail supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners.
She became director at EPC in 2013, and then the first vice president. As president, she spoke at council events, such as the annual gala, barbecue, tailgate event, golfing and apple-picking. She co-chaired the EPC women's leadership committee, among other committees at EPC.
Related: Seen at EPC's annual gala April 1, 2023
Santo participated in the EPC co-hosted New York Produce Show, including a panel session in 2022.
Marianne Santo, second from left, participated in a panel chat at the 2022 New York Produce Show. (Photo: Amy Sowder)
“She was a friend and mentor to many in the food industry and had a heart bigger than her personality. Marianne paved the path for many women in the industry initially by becoming one of the first female category managers at Wakefern,” her Ippolito Funeral Homes obituary said.
Marianne Santo (back row, center) paused for photos with the EPC board of directors at the April 1, 2023, John J. Jay McAleavey Annual Gala. (Photo: Amy Sowder)
Many friends, family members and industry colleagues paid tribute to Santo with flowers, tree-planting and written public messages on the obituary site.
“It came so natural for Marianne to encourage and support her colleagues and others within the industry,” wrote friend and industry colleague Terri Abrams in her public tribute.
Local produce leaders attending the 8th annual Joe DeLorenzo Family Apple Picking Event Oct. 8, 2022, include Susan McAleavey Sarlund (from left), executive director of Eastern Produce Council and Northeast account manager of New York Apple Association; Marianne Santo, EPC president and senior category manager of Wakefern Food Corp.; Theresa Lowden, EPC first vice president and executive vice president of JOH Produce Mid Atlantic Inc.; and Al Murray, EPC board of directors and executive director of the New Jersey Agriculture Society. (Photo: Amy Sowder)
Santo left behind her husband, Carmine, sisters, nieces and nephews. She supported causes such as Dress for Success, the Food Bank and God's Love We Deliver.
“While it is difficult to see through the sorrow, Marianne's giving heart, light and passion for this industry and life will continue to shine through everyone she has touched, mentored and led,” Sarlund and Lowden wrote in the member letter.
Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Sept. 29, at Paul Ippolito Berkeley Memorial in Berkeley Heights, N.J.
