World Finer Foods' John H. Affel Reflects on 42 years in Specialty Food

Affel used to travel all over the U.S. calling on all types of retailers small and large to see product displays, learn about trends and get feedback from consumers. Computers, consolidation and the Internet have been game changers in the industry, according to Affel. When he began his career in the late 1970s, every major city had one distributor for a specific food product. The biscuit and cookie distributor. The specialty food distributor. The kosher distributor. The health food distributor.

Affel helped introduce LU and Delacre brand biscuits to American consumers, and more recently has taken pride in bringing companies like GoCo Crunchy Coconut Bites, Valor Chocolates and Kitchens of India to the World Finer Foods family.

Throughout his career in the industry, Affel has overseen manufacturing, sales, marketing, and management operations. Affel directs World Finer Foods' efforts to bring innovative, on-trend client brands and new product lines to the company's portfolio.

Affel and the entire marketing and sales staff at WFF have continually adapted their approach to supporting brands through e-commerce, digital marketing opportunities, and using big data to analyze markets and shopper habits. It's one reason why category leading brands from around the world partner with WFF.

Prior to joining World Finer Foods, Affel served as the president of the former Wessanen-held Liberty Richter Company, and successfully managed the merger that established Liberty Richter as a premium specialty food division of World Finer Foods. A respected leader in the trade, Affel has served as president of both the Biscuit & Cracker Distribution Association and the international trade association Circle of Specialty Food Distributors.

He will be inducted this month into the Specialty Food Association Hall of Fame at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. The Hall of Fame honors individuals whose accomplishments, impact, contributions, innovations, and successes within the specialty food industry deserve praise and recognition.

"The recognition really is a treasure and humbling because there are other inductees I have known firsthand and remember calling on and learning from when I started my career," said Affel.

"Our World Finer Foods team is so pleased that John is earning this honor. It is truly well deserved," stated World Finer Foods President and CEO Susan Guerin.

Affel will be available for media interviews at the Summer Fancy Food Show on Monday, June 26, 2017 from 10-11 a.m. at booth #1336 at the Javits Center in New York City.

About World Finer Foods
World Finer Foods (WFF), a leading distributor of more than 1000 owned and third-party premium food, beverage and personal care products, has been a pioneer in marketing domestic and international products to American consumers since the 1940s. From household and traditional favorites to trendsetting health-conscious and global flavors, World Finer Foods offers consumers options for every taste and diet, and provides their clients with a team of dedicated best-in-class sales, marketing and logistical experts to grow their brands. Based in Bloomfield, New Jersey, World Finer Foods and its Liberty Richter division are proud to represent more than 60 household brands. For more information, please visit: www.worldfiner.com.

SOURCE World Finer Foods

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