New Jersey Food Council President Linda Doherty to Retire After 33 Years

Linda M. Doherty will step down as president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council in January 2027, ending a 33-year career with the state’s largest alliance of food retailers and supplier partners.

Doherty submitted her retirement letter to the NJFC Board of Directors on Feb. 17, according to the organization. She has served as president and CEO for the past 23 years, leading an organization that represents almost 400 companies including 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies that collectively employ more than 200,000 associates statewide.

“I believe every accomplished leader needs to know when it’s time to appraise success, complete the last chapter and move on to another journey,” Doherty stated in her letter to the board. “My time has come. Therefore, it is with grace and gratitude that I announce my retirement by next January, 2027.”

Under Doherty’s leadership, the NJFC achieved several significant legislative victories. She won gift card litigation that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, guided the organization through the Superstorm Sandy crisis, and successfully prevented implementation of a New Jersey bottle bill, according to the organization.

The NJFC has retained a facilitator to guide the search committee through finding Doherty’s replacement. The organization plans to conduct a nationwide search for a new leader who would join this fall to begin the transition process.

“Today the Food Council is at the pinnacle of our success with steadfast growth in membership, sponsorships, educational scholarships, member engagement, event participation, PAC impact and our leadership programs,” Doherty said. “I have met so many remarkable, talented and kind members, leaders and team players throughout this voyage. My heart is full as our triumphs overflow.”

NJFC Board Chair Jason Read, who serves as director of store operations at Wawa, praised Doherty’s tenure as a legislative advocate in Trenton. Read said Doherty developed strategic partnerships and continually enhanced the value of New Jersey’s food industry.

“We know it will be very difficult to find a leader to follow an individual who has made such an incredibly positive impact within New Jersey’s food retailing industry for more than three decades,” Read stated.

Read highlighted Doherty’s leadership through major challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, Organized Retail Crime legislation, and New Jersey’s landmark plastic and paper bag ban. “Linda has been with us through countless challenges and has always made sure that the food industry, as well as this association and our members, continues to grow stronger each and every year, no matter the obstacle or challenge,” he said.

The search committee will be chaired by Jim McCaffrey III of McCaffrey Markets, according to Read. He also announced he will extend his two-year term as board chair for an additional year to ease the transition expected to continue into 2027.

Doherty became a prominent figure among national food retailers, in Trenton’s political circles, and across New Jersey communities during her tenure. Her leadership coincided with substantial growth for the organization in multiple areas including membership expansion and increased political influence through the NJFC’s political action committee.

The transition marks the end of an era for New Jersey’s food retail industry, as Doherty’s departure will conclude more than three decades of involvement with the organization that represents a significant portion of the state’s food commerce sector.