Four Philadelphia-based trade organizations, with long and successful histories, merged to create MAFTO: the Association of Manufacturers Representatives (AMR), the Tri State Dairy Deli Association, the Philadelphia Food Trades Organization and the Mid Atlantic Frozen Foods Association.

This merger became official on January 1, 2005. MAFTO’s goal is to raise money to promote the retail food industry through education and scholarships and to donate to those in need. Money is raised through our social and trade related events: General Membership Dinners; Annual Golf Outing; Christmas for All Kids Holiday Party / Monte Carlo Night and Retailer Dinners held in the Spring and Fall.

MAFTO is the most influential and relevant food trades organization in the Greater Philadelphia Market. With the merger of the four different groups, it has served the retail and foodservice industries in one form or another for more than 100 years. In addition, at the end of 2018, MAFTO became a 501c3 organization.

The MAFTO board is comprised of approximately 25 directors all donating their free time to make all this happen. They work extremely hard at their full-time jobs and then give their free time to support MAFTO so that we can provide scholarships and charitable benefits to those in need. This organization would not be in existence without these generous people.

With the many changes facing our industry, the need for an organization like MAFTO has never been greater. We are in a unique position to bring together manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers, distributors, service providers and retailers for meaningful dialog at a variety of networking events throughout the year. I can think of no better way to stay abreast of the industry then to hear firsthand from its key leadership over cocktails and dinner.

In addition, MAFTO awards college scholarships to qualified members, their families and dependents regardless of their field of study. Over the years, we have awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. We also organize and execute several community service projects during the year, which have included serving dinner at Hope Lodge & Ronald McDonald House, volunteering at Small Things and providing toys to needy children at Christmas. We encourage all our members to participate in these initiatives. The Sunshine / Save-A-Life committee reaches out to people in our industry experiencing challenging circumstances or tragedy with words of encouragement, a helping hand and financial assistance. Our charity is always offered discreetly and with love. We also have various low cost Networking events that allow our members to meet others in the industry in a relaxed atmosphere.

Membership to MAFTO is free and open to anyone in the retail food industry or supporting industries employed in a professional, management or leadership capacity. We fund our organization and charitable efforts through the several events we hold and therefore ask that our members attend as many of our events as they can each year.