For Marc Cinque, President of Premio Foods, the journey with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) started with an unexpected visit: “A woman came to one of our factories in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s asking for a donation. She was driving a station wagon, looking to pick up sausage for people who were hungry,” Marc recalled.
That woman was Kathleen DiChiara, CFBNJ’s founder, and her determination struck Marc immediately.
“I remember thinking, ‘She has no chance of making this work,’ but there was something about her,” he said.
That something turned out to be Kathleen’s unwavering commitment. Over the years, as she returned for more donations, Marc witnessed her vision coming to life.
“What she built became the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, and it’s still fascinating to me,” he said, reflecting on the early days of the partnership.
As Premio Foods grew, so did Marc’s dedication to supporting CFBNJ.
“Giving back made sense for us. Kathleen’s mission aligned with our values,” he shared. “We began by donating food and later added financial support. I even brought my kids to volunteer at the FoodBank, letting them see firsthand what giving back looks like.”
One of Marc’s proudest moments was when Premio joined Check-Out Hunger® as the campaign’s New Jersey statewide sponsor, a decision he initially approached with hesitation.
“At first, I didn’t want any public attention; that’s never been the reason behind our involvement,” he explained. “But eventually, we saw it as an opportunity—not just to contribute but to inspire our own team and customers to get involved.”
When asked about his hopes for the future, Marc expressed a profound wish: “My ultimate hope is that one day, we won’t need the FoodBank. It would be the biggest win,” he said thoughtfully.
He knows that hunger isn’t a problem most people think about daily.
“Many people have to make hard choices—between feeding their kids and paying bills – and it’s shocking to think that food insecurity is so hidden in a country like ours,” he reflected.
For Marc, CFBNJ represents resilience and compassion in a world where, as he said, “so many struggle without others ever knowing.”
Looking forward, he’s hopeful that his children will continue Premio Foods’ partnership with the FoodBank: “As long as I’m here, our commitment remains strong. And I hope it carries on as a family legacy.”