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INSIDE…Sheriff Sadie Darnell Thanks FFS 2

It’s Showtime! 2

Culinary Students visit FFS 3

Sharp-Shooter, JR Fort 3

Joshua Islam Sign Dedication 4

Time To Play Ball! 5

FFS Family News 6

Around The Office 7

Upcoming Events and Birthdays 8

More Than Just A Sales Meeting 8

At Florida Food ServiceJuly 2015 Issue 2Q2015

Message From The President

Spotlight On Drivers…

I often talk about how important each person is at Florida Food Service. That’s because I believe it! Every person, from the front office to the warehouse, and out in the field is absolutely critical to our success. Today, I want to shine a spotlight on our drivers.

It was my pleasure recently, to visit some customers in Jacksonville. I always ask our customers, “how are we doing?” Most of the time, I get very positive feedback. On this particular trip, I was pleased to hear compliment after compliment about our company, and especially our drivers. Drivers are so critical to our success because they actually see the customers more than anyone else. They are there, live and in person, to make each delivery. Accordingly, when our customers get good customer service from our drivers, that makes a huge difference in building our business.

When we hire a driver at FFS, among the many things that happen in their training process, is a private meeting with me. We talk about a lot of things, including the details of the job, our company history, our values and philosophy. But most importantly, we talk about our commitment to service and safety. These two things must be done correctly for FFS to be successful. I commend our drivers for the physically demanding job they do and the professional way they do it, every day.

I would like to remind all drivers, along with everyone in operations, to pass through the office once in a while. Say hello to the folks in customer service, in accounting, and the buyers. We like to know who you are and also want to say thanks for what you do.

We have now completed our fiscal year end. The overall company performance has been great this year and it is so wonderful to see FFS growing and doing well. We are thankful for the strong finish to this fiscal year and a great start to the new year. If you have ideas, please share them. Thanks everyone for all the work you do to make us successful. l

Joel Islam,President

P.R.I.D.E… It’s more than a goal at Florida Food Service… It’s a way of life!

I commend our drivers for the physically demanding job they do and the professional way they do it, every day.

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Florida Food Service has been a longtime supporter of local law enforcement and our community. Recently, Joel Islam accepted a commendation on behalf of the company for our support. This specific commendation recognized the participation of Florida Food Service in the “Dinner with Deputies” event held at S.W.A.G. Sheriff Sadie Darnell expressed her gratefulness to Florida Food Service and all the support provided over the years. Detective Casey Hamilton treated Joel, Melissa and Jacob to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sheriff’s office, including the forensics lab and the 911 combined call center, which was very impressive. Melissa and Jacob even learned how to dust for prints! It is nice to be recognized for our contributions to the community and is only possible because the hard working people at Florida Food Service care about others. l

From left to right: Sheriff Sadie Darnell, Jacob Islam, Joel Islam, Melissa Islam, and Detective Casey Hamilton

Florida Food Service, Inc.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU To Florida Food Service!

It’s Showtime!!!!Friday, August 7, 2015 10 am - 3pmWorld Golf Village Renaissance Resort500 South Legacy Trail • St. Augustine, FL 32092

See You There!Thursday, August 6, 2015 (Sales Only) 6:30 pm -9 pm Reception

Friday, August 7, 2015 10 am - 3pm Food Show Dinner on your own

Saturday, August 8, 2015 9 am scramble Hang at the pool or visit St. Augustine 6:30 pm Awards Dinner cocktails, awards, entertainment

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Florida Food Service Inc. was invited by Merilin Piantanida, Culinary Arts instructor at Keystone Heights High School, to be guest speakers for the 21 students during their two hour class period. She requested we do a hands-on, seafood-specific seminar for the culinary students.

Brian Stengl, Seafood/Center of the Plate Specialist, and Peter Vande Walle, Regional Sales Manager for FW Byrce in Boston, MA, made the presentation covering the following topics:

• How seafood is caught, both wild and farmed• Where different species come from• Quality characteristics of seafood• Preparation & Cooking methods of seafood

FFS also provided prepared seafood products including: Snow Crab, Mussels, Atlantic Cod, Pacific Cod, Haddock, Flounder, and Norwegian Salmon for the students to taste.

The class observed the various preparation techniques and all had the opportunity to try their own hand at it as well. The response from the students was fantastic and we were actually able to hold their attention for the full two-hour period. Hopefully, we have developed an interest and confidence in seafood for these future chefs so they will consider offering them on their menu. l

Showing off trophies (from L to R), Zach Fenno, Bobby Coopman,

Frank Fenno (red shirt), JR Fort, and Alex Bergamo

Florida Food Service, Inc.

Pull!!!

KHHS Culinary Arts ClassGets Hands On

at the Seafood Seminar

customer did the cooking. Along with help from a class of culinary students, the food was served hot and ready to the delight of all the participants. At the end of the day about twice the money was raised than last year for the students. J.R. teamed up in the competition with Heartland Payment Systems and J.S.O. Officer, Alex Bergamo, and they were able to edge out thirteen other teams for a third place finish. l

On April 28, 2015, Florida Food Service salesman, J.R. Fort, attended an F.R.L.A. {Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association} sponsored clay shoot to raise money for local high school culinary programs in Jacksonville, Florida. Once a year members of the F.R.L.A. are asked to come together and help this great cause while also getting the chance to meet and network with local vendors and restaurant owners.

This year Florida Food Service went above and beyond by donating all the food and other needed materials to cater the event while a local restaurant/

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A Sign of Love

On Friday, May 15th, a loving crowd of about 50 people gathered on the corner of NE 40th Terrace to remember Josh Islam. Commissioner Todd Chase and city manager Russ Blackburn were among family and friends at the memorial. Devin, was able to unveil the new sign etched with Josh’s name in gold letters.

A memorial foundation was established to donate money to causes that Joshua Islam was passionate about such as youth baseball, cancer treatment and research, Marine Corps JROTC programs and Christian education. Donations can be made at www.joshua19foundation.org l

“It’s a constant reminder of how fragile life is,” James Islam said.

“We have hope to be reunited with him again, God has a plan.”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid God is with you.”

Joshua 1:9

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid God is with you.”

Joshua 1:9

Many of our FFS family are involved in having a hand in the development of young children

in sports. Several are coaches and others umpire. Along with teaching them how to play the

game the 'right way,' they also encourage and teach sportsmanship to youth. Here are several

of our FFS family and how they are having an impact:

Cary Price, Salesman - Cary umpires youth baseball and girls softball teams of all ages. He has been a member of the North Florida Umpire Association for six years. The association covers eight ballparks in and around the Jacksonville, Florida area. Cary was also a soccer coach for his youngest daughter’s team for several years. After his daughters graduated from high school, he wanted to continue being involved with sports and took up umpiring for Little League. Cary loves the opportunity youth sports provides him, allowing him to play a part in the development of young children. Cary says that umpiring offers an additional “perk” every now and then when you get to tell someone to “take a hike” and get cheered for doing so. Here are a couple of photos to show a day in the life of a Little League umpire.

Adam Brewer - The owner of Adam’s Rib Company and Florida Food Service customer, Adam Brewer, coached his I9 sports team to become league champs. His team was the Honey Badgers and both of his sons, (Bill & Kem Poe’s grandsons), Mason and Taylor, played on the team. The exciting thing to see was a group of boys begin with little to no experience and watch them grow into a great team to win the championship!

We’re not just into Baseball!Florida Food Service team for Girls Place. The “Orange Tigers” are the 5th-6th Grade Volleyball Champions for this season. Cherise McGill, daughter of Richard and Kim McGill played on the team.

TIME TO PLAY BALL!

Victoria Lynne Islam Buchholz High SchoolDaughter of James and Donna Islam

We Are Family!

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New EmployeesWELCOME TO THE FFS FAMILY!

Trevor Thomas warehouse night shift

10years

Kyle StandishApril

Chris PowellOctober

25years

Anson ArmitageJuly

40years

Bill PoeJuly

35years

Jeff IslamJune

Joel TokarAugust

Steve O’SteenOctober

FFS AnniversariesThank You For Your Service!TO THESE 2015 HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATES!

CONGRATULATIONS

Brooke Leigh RiviereKeystone Heights High School

Daughter of Beau and Julie Riviere

The Meet and Greet has a new name. It is now known as The Monthly Huddle. The Monthly Huddle will continue to be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the break room and we welcome ALL employees to attend.

This will continue to be a time for employees to come together and enjoy celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, special recognitions and meeting new employees. The time will remain from 4:00 - 4:30, with our next Monthly Huddle scheduled for July 14th. l

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We Are Family! For over a decade, Florida Pest

Control’s Ken Vejraska has

serviced Florida Food Service.

Friendships have been

made! Here is Ken with our

own, Sandy Sheffield during

a service visit. Showing their FFS spirit… Aubrey

Hart, Tim Folds, Michelle Jennings and Jonathan Dougherty go blue for

Florida Food Service!

At the April Meet & Greet, the

new warehouse night employee,

Trevor Thomas, was introduced

to other staff along with special

recognition to staff with April

birthdays and anniversaries.

Staff who were in

attendance for photo

included; (L-R) Jeff

Islam, Sandy Sheffield,

Trevor Thomas,

Robert Wiggins.

Joel Islam Takes A Break to get a

little fresh air during his recent trip to

the UniPro Executive Conference in

Asheville, NC.

Fish On! Mary Galbraith's big catch from a fishing trip on Saturday, April 4, 2015 sponsored by NACM, National Association of Credit Management . Mary caught a beautiful red grouper about 15 miles off the coast of Bradenton, FL, in the Gulf of Mexico. The boat left from a little town called Cortez and was loaded with 17 representatives on board from the following companies: Florida Food Service, Sysco, Dade Paper, U.S. Foods, Performance Food Group, Tropic Star Seafood, Gordon Food Service, NACM.

“Twinning is Winning” here at FFS.....Jonathan Dougherty and Stephen Jennings show their FFS Pride!

The Joshua 1:9 Foundation teamed up with Camp Kesem to put on the first annual Superhero Scramble 5K. The run was held in April on the campus of FSU

in Tallahassee, Florida. Participants dressed as their favorite superheroes. All proceeds went to support Camp

Kesem’s summer camp for kids whose families have been affected by cancer.

Representing Florida Food Service

in the ARC of Alachua County golf

tournament fundraiser, (L to R)

Bob Rose, Tom Hancock, Steve Barbieri,

Billy Carreras, and Kyle Standish.

See something

fun going on? Take a pic and

send it to Julie.Riviere@

ffsinc.com!

April 17th was a full and fun Sales Meeting day including “Hawaiian Shirt Friday” and the LifeSouth Blood Drive. As staff arrived in the morning they were greeted with an Hawaiian Lei to wear for the day as well as welcomed by the sounds of island tunes and the music of Don Ho playing -”Tiny Bubbles” which inspired some Hawaiian dancing by our own Sandy Sheffield and Rosa Woodward. l

FFS staff exceeded the blood drive goal set by LifeSouth and they were very pleased with the donations received.

More Than Just a Sales Meeting

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Upcoming Sales Meetings:July 10thJuly 31st

August 28th

Sept 18thOct 9th

Nov 13th

Dec 11thSales Auction

Dec 12th

Leslee Ray with Transamerica will be on-site at FFS on all sales meetings days to provide assistance and answer questions from staff. Please feel

free to talk with Leslee when she is here at the office on these dates. Remember, she is here for you!

Happy Birthday!July:Jim Islam 4thBuddy Hines 4thJenny Stewart 6thJason Islam 7thCary Price 7thLucas Jones 10thBilly Carreras 11thDwayne King 18thBen Baker 20thA.J. Hutchinson 23rdJustin Wettig 26thHenrietta Armitage 27thDrew Barnard 28thNan Islam 29thPaul Body 30th

August:Micah Noda 2ndKaven King 4thAdam Grable 9thBarry Bass 15thRobbie Sapp 25thAnson Armitage 30th

September:Roger Harris 3rdJoel Islam 11thBrian Morris 12thJustin Higginbotham 14thSteve Jennings 23rdMatt Williams 24th

Mark Your Calendars!

If you haven’t “Liked” FFS on FaceBook yet, please do at

www.facebook.com/FloridaFoodService or by scanning this QR code with your smart phone.

Let’s Be Friends!

Got Something

To Share?

Let Us Know!

Send Us Your News!New baby? Wedding news? Favorite recipe? Or just a great story? Send your

contribution to Julie Riviere (x145) at Julie.Riviere@ffsinc.com to be included in

What’s Cooking. The next issue will be published in October, so please be sure to send your information to her no later than September 15. l