Group calls for power outage disaster relief

Sept. 1, 2003
Michael G Sarafa, president of the Associated Food Dealers of Michigan, is calling for $75 million in disaster relief for Michigan's retail food industry.

Michael G Sarafa, president of the Associated Food Dealers of Michigan, is calling for $75 million in disaster relief for Michigan's retail food industry.

“In spite of the great job that DTE Energy did to restore power and our law enforcement officials' efforts to keep order during the recent power outage, our retail food stores suffered great losses,” Sarafa said.

He maintains that more than $50 million in perishable foods were lost due to lack of refrigeration. Looting also occurred, and many stores lost income because they could not stay open without power. Sarafa said many stores chose to give product away before it spoiled, instead of throwing it away.

“If Gov Granholm is going to seek federal disaster relief, then part of that equation should include the businesses that suffered the greatest losses, which includes the retail food industry,” Sarafa said.

The Associated Food Dealers of Michigan represents nearly 3,000 distributors, retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers throughout the state.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

The Road Ahead: 2025 Trucking and Fleet Insights

Discover how fleet operators are impacted by challenges like driver onboarding delays and complex compliance, and the critical need for technology to boost efficiency and cut ...

Driving Growth: How to Manage More Freight

Ready to grow your trucking business? Whether you have 25 or 200 trucks, this guide offers practical tips and success stories to help you expand with confidence. Discover how ...

How to Maximize Fleet Management with Vehicle Bypass

Watch now to learn how truck weigh station bypass systems boost fleet performance and driver satisfaction.

Optimizing your fleet safety program using AI

Learn how AI supports fleet safety programs with tools for compliance monitoring, driver coaching and incident analysis to reduce risks and improve efficiency.