Write a Review for Ashley Farms!

At Ashley Farms our main priority is satisfying the individuals and groups we work with! We try to go above and beyond to make the fundraising process run as smoothly as possible. Any feedback from organizations we have worked with in the past, whether it is good or bad, helps improve our internal processes immensely. Please follow the instructions below to help us perfect the overall fundraising experience we offer:

Write a “Review” on our Google+ page.

1) Login to your Google Account. Sign in to Google with your email and password or Sign up for an account.

2) Search for a place to review. After you have signed in to Google, search for a place you would like to review in the Google search box.

After you have searched for a place or business of your choice, look for the “write a review” tab. Please note that both places will take you to the same place. Make sure that this is the business you would like to write the review for. If you do not see the “write a review” tab, try to make your search more specific by including the state, city or zip code. In the example below, PA was added to narrow down the search.

3) Write a review. After you have clicked on “write a review”, you will be able to rate and describe your experience. When you are finished click the “publish” tab. Congratulations you have written a review!

Write a “Review” on our Facebook page.

After you log in to your personal Facebook account, simply search for the Ashley Farms Facebook Page using the search bar at the top of the page or click this link: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyFarms

Scroll down the page until you locate the “Reviews” section on the right hand side as shown below.

Select a star rating and type a review in the text box. Once you’ve said some kind words, click the “Review” button and you’re done!

The Importance of Supporting Music Programs in Schools

Nobody doubts that having creative outlets available to students is hugely important, not only for academic performance, but for development of children as a whole. A variety of studies have been done on the impact of music on children. The results are clear. Music education is beneficial to children in a variety of ways.

· It’s more than just music. Participating in music education encourages children to use wide-ranging skillsets.

· Music has major benefits for language development. Musical training has an impact on the part of the brain used for language.

· Music affects overall intelligence. Statistics show that children involved with music have higher IQs than those who do not. Musical children also do better on tests.

· An understanding of music can help children excel in other areas. Studies show that students with knowledge of music are able to better solve problems in other areas such as math.

· Music is fun. Music education can be a great creative outlet for children.

Now it is more important than ever for schools to secure funding for music programs. With budget cuts affecting school districts across the country, music is often the first type of program to lose funding or to be cut entirely. But something can be done. You can help your local school’s music program by supporting their fundraising efforts. When a child knocks on your door or a family member asks you to buy something to help support their school, consider it, because in doing so, you are supporting so much more than just music.

New Year, New Products!

We here at Ashley Farms, Inc. hope you had a joyous holiday season and are ready to take on the New Year!

Below you will see some quick photos we did earlier this month to give you a hint of what we will be offering, but the true test is in the tasting!

Here are brief descriptions of our new products:

We take a paper thin whole grain tortilla shell and stuff it full of deliciousness, fold it over, and over one more time and what you have is the most unique new pizza item to come along in years; you really must taste it. The light flaky crisp crust makes this an instant winner. It comes in three different varieties. The original N. Y. pizza, pepperoni and cheese and the incredible mac and cheese. Each variety offers cheddar, mozzarella and provolone cheeses.

Really quite amazing, just heat and serve.

We have a graham cracker pastry shell stuffed full of marshmallow and dark chocolate. It's perfect for kids of any age! Just heat and serve.

Everyone has been looking for something "gluten free" that actually tastes good. Look no more, this might be the most elegant and delicious cake we have ever sold, and it takes a lot for us to say that. Once again, tasting is believing. You owe it to yourself to stop by and have 

a bite!

Pigs in a blanket are still the number one selling hors d'oeuvres in the country, but this is a fun take on that eternal winner. We take a great New York pretzel and wrap it around a delicious all beef mini hot dog. Another sure winner!

Classic New York pretzel sprinkled with chipotle cheese then twisted and baked, yum! We also offer just cheese for those who don't have quite the palate for the hot stuff. You don't know what you are missing!

This is another sure winner. We have been famous for our cheesecakes for over 25 years, but this is a new twist. We took three popular varieties, NY plain, Chocolate and Strawberry and enrobed them in luscious dark chocolate. 12 portions in each box.

Another variation on our already successful line of cheesecakes. Variety has always been a cornerstone of sales. This four pack consists of NY Original, Cappuccino, Black Forest Swirl, and Triple Chocolate. 4 inch cakes make for a nice presentation and a very appealing dessert.

Wow! Need we say more?

A variation on the old stand by, cupcakes- just smaller and on a stick. Always keep in mind we sell through the eyes of a child, so this is a " no brainer". We have five flavors available, but you can put together any combination you wish.

Which delicious treat are you most excited about tasting? Tell us your pick in the comments below!

Ashley Farms, Inc.

Support@AshleyFarmsInc.com

(973) 616-8877

Doing Your Fair Share

A team can achieve far greater things together than they can apart. In order for this to be true, it is important that every individual is doing their fair share so the group can achieve their overall goals. When each member contributes their own unique abilities and efforts, the result can be something quite incredible.

For example, here’s how Jim Messina (President of Ashley Farms) relates doing one’s fair share to a musical performance:

"Everyone must attend all of the rehearsals, have a good attitude at rehearsal, there must be group discipline, students must work on their parts at home- or in other words, show up for the performance as prepared as you can be individually. That is the definition of doing your fair share.” 

Doing ones fair share can add up to something wonderful, in the case above: a flawless performance.

The concept of doing one’s fair share can definitely be related to fundraising as well. For example, if each student participating in an Ashley Farms’ fundraiser takes a brochure, shows it to friends and family and sells at least a minimal amount of 10 items, then two goals have been reached. The student has achieved an individual goal- which adds up to a collective group goal. 

Working hard alongside others to achieve a common goal (whether it is your teammates, group members, classmates or coworkers) is a skill that will be used throughout one’s entire life. Just remember- better results can be accomplished as a team, not only the collective results but the individual results as well!

Building Character Through Fundraising

 With all of the things that your school does for its students, how does it address the prime objective of growing up- not just teaching students academics, but helping them to become good people? Fundraising can teach a child many skills not taught in the classroom, such as trustworthiness, responsibility, citizenship, philanthropy, communication skills and much more.

Fundraising teaches a child self-confidence, and self-worth. It gives opportunity for a child to learn how to talk to strangers (in a safe environment) and maintain a positive attitude in the face of rejection. Rejections can lead a child to feelings of disappointment and dismissal. However, this is also an important opportunity to build character. Handling rejection is an important part of life and going door to door is a way to receive a good amount practice in rejection. 

Other important lessons that can be learned are about people and sales skills. In order to successfully sell something to others, the child needs to develop a number of skills in how to talk with people and what is the best way to present oneself. Good salesmanship, involves good customer service and treating people correctly. Communication skills are some of the most sought-after skills that employers are looking for, and teaching a child the basics of good communication early on will build better communicators in the future.

Being a successful fundraiser involves speaking politely to people and talking with confidence. It teaches children at a young age the skills that help shape them into the people they will become in the future and helps them understand the ups and downs of attempting to accomplish a goal. Fundraising is a great way to watch a child grow confidence and character, and what could be more satisfying than that?

A Different Kind of Fundraising Company

In our last blog, we explained how Ashley Farms Inc. was founded. The founding years are what we like to attribute to three things: Fate, Risk, and Cheesecake. There’s a little more to the story though... To really understand who Ashley Farms, Inc is, you need to understand how we go about business. Jim Messina and Mike Gambuzza (our founders) describe what makes our company’s way of doing business different from our competitors:

Jim Messina (Left) and Mike Gambuzza (Right)

“We pride ourselves on the ability to motivate the students and members of the groups we help. We do this through a well planned professional presentation as well as proven incentives and of course we have all of the members taste our delicious cheesecakes and more. This sets us apart from our competitors and keeps our customers very loyal. Every day, as we enter a school, we hear someone say as they see us, "this is my favorite day of the year," that is just music to my ears and makes me feel good about what we do to help non-profits achieve their goals. It's not just "all business" it's more about joining with these groups and forming a team to meet the challenges of today’s market place. Our latest incentive program is called the Goal Card, and all students who earn it, receive special privileges from the teacher throughout the school year. Little things like this, keep the students and teachers involved with the concept of making the students work to achieve goals.”

–Jim Messina (President)

“Ashley Farms is well respected in the fundraising industry. We basically started the frozen food market within the fundraising industry. We are known for quality products and excellent customer service. Personally, we pride ourselves on character and integrity and our handshakes are as good as any contract ever signed. We have helped raise over one hundred million dollars in our thirty years in business for customers trying to improve the quality of their fundraising groups. That's what we do best.”

–Mike Gumbuzza (Vice President)

Ashley Farms, Inc. has been an innovator since its inception. We will always strive to stay ahead and help our customers with the latest most effective products and techniques available. We pride ourselves on being a dedicated partner to the non-profit organizations that come to us for fundraising help, and we genuinely care about the success of those organizations’ fundraisers.

Fate, Risk, and Cheesecake

Every successful company begins with one thing: A solid foundation. Taking a look at a company’s founding leaders and values can tell you a lot about a company as a whole. Gain a better understanding of how Ashley Farms has gotten to where it is today by learning about its two founders: Jim Messina and Mike Gambuzza. It is a tale of crossing paths at the right time, taking risks, and a love for the fundraising industry.

Gaining the Necessary Experience

Jim Messina

Jim was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickensen Univeristy. His primary interests at that time were music and the marching arts. After graduating he moved to California and was employed by the Anaheim Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps as a choreographer and instructor of visual arts. Becoming homesick, Jim moved back to NJ and became the chorographer for many of the top competitive marching bands, drum, and bugle corps in the North East. After marrying his college sweetheart, Barbara, Jim became a sales rep for a local band uniform company Collins Uniforms. While employed there, Jim learned about the fundraising industry. He decided to switch jobs to the nation’s leading firm, Henco, out of Selmer TN. Jim rose to regional sales manager and spent four successful years there. Jim decided to switch jobs and work for a new fundraising company in New Jersey, Planned Achievement Corp. Despite his responsibility for all aspects of the company's development, he sought a change and longed to start his own company.

Mike Gambuzza

Mike played two seasons of Division III football at NJ City University before transferring to Montclair State University, where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Health. After graduating, Mike returned to his alma mater, Memorial High School in West New York NJ, to teach PE/Health and coach football. Mike taught and coached for 8 years. He had the privilege of helping many young students become wonderful young men and women. During his eighth year, Mike helped lead the football team to a county championship for the first time in 20 years. He decided this was the perfect way to go out.

After leaving teaching, Mike landed a sales position at a fundraising company called Planned Achievement Corp. Mike’s girlfriend at the time, Kelly, had an inside connection. Her brother in law was the one who was trying to get the company off the ground. He quickly became Mike’s mentor and taught him everything he knew about the product fundraising industry. This mentor was Jim Messina!

The beginning of Ashley Farms Inc.

Two years after meeting, Jim and Mike decided to leave Planned Achievement Corp and start their own company together: Ashley Farms!

After selling the “usual” type of fundraising merchandise, Jim & Mike decided to break into the frozen food market. The industry did not think the idea of selling frozen food to non-profits would be a successful one, but Ashley Farms proved them wrong! Frozen food is now the largest segment of food products in the industry, and Ashley Farms is extremely proud to be the ones who started it all. In 2014, Ashley Farms will celebrate 30 years in business- all thanks to a little bit of fate, risk, and cheesecake.