South Jersey Veterans to be Honored on Armed Forces Day at ShopRite stores

South Jersey ShopRite stores owned and operated by Bruce and George Zallie once again honored veterans during a special luncheon on Armed Forces Day, a holiday that encourages people to thank military members for their service. Luncheons simultaneously took place across the seven different Zallie Supermarkets, Inc. ShopRite stores in Camden and Gloucester Counties on Saturday, May 18, 2019.
Charles Edward Hoffner, US National Guard and Army Reserve, Staff Sergeant, from North Wildwood was recognized this past Saturday at the ShopRite of Williamstown for his time serving others. Behind them is the cake served for dessert after the beautiful hot buffet luncheon. The cake, made by Zallie’s bakers, bears all the insignias for each branch of the military. Mr. Hoffner is holding his Certificate of Appreciation given to him by Mr. Zallie.
In Gloucester County, stores hosting luncheons include ShopRite of Williamstown, ShopRite of Glassboro, and ShopRite of West Deptford. In Camden County, stores include ShopRite of Sicklerville, ShopRite of West Berlin, ShopRite of Chews Landing Road in Laurel Springs and ShopRite of Laurel Hill in Clementon. Store owners Bruce and George Zallie, their children, and nearly 2,000 ShopRite associates look forward to hosting the annual luncheon each May as a way to recognize veterans who live in the communities served by their Zallie ShopRite stores.  This year’s luncheons mark the eighth annual event and bring the total number of veterans honored by the Zallie family to nearly 350.
 “These veterans are our friends and neighbors and we look forward to thanking them in person for their service and bravery. Our luncheons provide an opportunity to gather six veterans per store to recognize the sacrifices they’ve made for our freedom. My late grandfather was in the service and I know he would be so proud our family continues this tradition each year,” said Giuliana Zallie, Director of Marketing for her family’s seven ShopRite stores.
In addition to the annual luncheons, the seven stores also offer a Military Monday discount to all active and retired members of the military, National Reserve and National Guard.
Veterans honored at the luncheon are chosen with the help of local VFW locations, which make sure different veterans are selected each year. Each veteran is welcome to bring up to four family members to enjoy a hot buffet lunch and attend the recognition ceremony. Zallie store directors act as emcees, presenting each honoree with a certificate of appreciation along with gifts. Each veteran receives a $200 bank gift card, and other items all created in store by Zallie’s Own various departments. Gifts include a patriotic floral arrangement, gourmet fruit and cheese basket, and a Swarovski ornament bearing the inscription, “Home of the Free, Because of the Brave.”
The full course hot buffet lunch showcases talents of the Zallie’s Own catering team. The buffet includes a variety of salads and freshly prepared dishes created with Zallie’s Own trademark recipes. A full size sheet cake displaying insignias representing each branch of the military, baked and decorated by each stores’ master baker is served with coffee or tea for dessert.
Zallie Supermarkets, Inc. is a family-owned and -operated business with a vision to make stores a warm and welcoming place to shop. Ever since Bruce and George’s father, George Sr., opened his very first corner store in the 1950’s, the family has continued to provide its shoppers with superior store made food and baked goods using only the freshest ingredients available. The Zallie Family is committed to giving back to the communities they serve, especially by hosting the Annual Luncheon to Honor Veterans each May.