Michael Muzyk, the longtime president of Baldor Specialty Foods and food distribution icon who retired at the end of 2023, was presented with a citation that honored his “dedication, generosity and indomitable spirit” on behalf of New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, minutes before Muzyk participated in the ribbon-cutting opening the 2023 New York Produce Show, Dec. 6, at the Javits Center in NYC.

The New York Produce Show also honored Muzyk with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The mayor’s proclamation, delivered by Charles Blackstone, from the Food Policy Office, recounted Muzyk’s nearly 30-year career. This spanned from joining Baldor as a sales representative in 1996 employing his Culinary Institute of America-trained chef skills to serve as a bridge between the company and its culinary clients, and his company’s involvement in helping the city recover from major events such as 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy, to keeping the Baldor trucks running after the passing of the company’s founder and chief executive, Kevin Murphy, in 2013.

As he starts a well-earned retirement, Muzyk leaves Baldor as a company that sells more than 5,000 SKUs, and services more than 400 routes for 12,000-plus customers from Maine to Virginia. “Retirement is a time to reflect, and this industry, these people have impacted my life. As a company I’m proud of what we’ve achieved,” says Muzyk.