J. Recher understands that convenience services operators can impact millions of people's lives each day. The impact can occur in a small way, through a cup of coffee, a salad or a snack. A closer look reveals that the impact being made by Recher and Five Star goes far beyond serving customers.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio talks to C. J. Recher, who serves Five Star Food Service as their vice president of marketing. Recher has another important role as well. He is co-founder of Feeding the Future, a non-profit organization that focuses on keeping kids from going hungry.

What Recher loves about the industry is that operators have such close contact with the end consumer. They can make a customer’s day much improved by providing the right products at the right time. “They're looking to us and the services that we provide to get them through their workday,” said Recher.

At the same time, his work with Feeding the Future is a gamechanger for kids who are unsure where their next meal is coming from, especially on weekends. This podcast is about Five Star’s advanced marketing strategy and a cause marketing program that has earned companywide buy-in.