The History of NFRA
Our Foundation
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association emerged in 1945 as “The National Wholesale Frozen Food Distributors.” The organization was chartered at New York City’s Yale Club by 42 representatives from 36 distributing firms under the visionary leadership of Burton Prince of New Haven, Connecticut.
Prince established the Association’s founding mission: to provide distributors with a unified voice in governmental affairs and industry matters. While NFRA has evolved significantly since its inception, our core purpose of serving as the collective voice of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry remains steadfast.
The Formative Years: 1940s and 1950s
The post-war era presented both challenges and opportunities for NFRA and the broader industry. Despite enhanced collaboration between packers and distributors, market penetration remained a challenge due to limited household refrigerator/freezer adoption, public perception hurdles, and media scrutiny of inventory costs. However, these obstacles ultimately shaped NFRA’s resilient character and innovative spirit.
By the early 1950s, NFRA had expanded to encompass 107 distributors and 46 associate packer and broker members. This growth catalyzed two pivotal name changes: in 1955, “Wholesale” was removed from the organization’s title, and by 1959, we became the National Frozen Food Association, reflecting our increasingly diverse membership base.
The 1980s: Pioneering Industry Promotion
The 1980s marked a transformative era for NFRA and the frozen food industry. In response to traditionally slow March sales, industry pioneer Murray Lender spearheaded the creation of National Frozen Food Month in 1984. This innovative promotional campaign revolutionized retail engagement and consumer awareness of frozen foods’ benefits. President Ronald Reagan officially designated March 6th as National Frozen Food Day, recognizing the industry’s 54 years of service to American consumers.
The 1990s: Recognizing Excellence
In 1990, NFRA established the prestigious Frozen Food Hall of Fame in collaboration with the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats. This recognition program celebrates individuals whose vision and dedication have fundamentally advanced our industry. Today, the annual induction ceremony, co-hosted with the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), stands as a testament to our industry’s innovation and achievement.
The decade also saw the launch of the NFRA Retail Executive Conference in 1992, which has evolved into today’s NFRA Executive Conference. This premier event continues to foster professional development and strategic networking among industry leaders each year.
The 2000s: Expanding Our Scope
The new millennium ushered in a significant expansion of NFRA’s mandate. In 2001, we incorporated the refrigerated dairy foods department and became the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association, acknowledging the natural synergy between frozen and refrigerated categories in the retail environment. Our membership surged to over 400 corporate members, representing every industry segment.
The decade brought two major promotional initiatives: the Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties promotion in 2002 and the establishment of June Dairy Month in 2003. That same year, we hosted our first combined frozen and refrigerated Convention in Las Vegas, setting a new standard for industry gatherings.
The 2010s: Digital Transformation
The 2010s witnessed NFRA’s embrace of digital innovation and enhanced consumer engagement. We launched our Convention mobile app in 2011, revolutionizing attendee experience with real-time access to event information and networking tools.
In 2012, we partnered with Edelman to elevate our consumer outreach through two groundbreaking campaigns: “Real Food. Frozen.” and “Dairy…and Beyond.” These initiatives marked our transition to sophisticated, multi-channel marketing strategies.
The launch of Easy Home Meals as our consumer-facing brand, complete with EasyHomeMeals.com, established NFRA as a trusted source for meal solutions and cooking inspiration. Our strategic partnerships with influencers, food enthusiasts, and content creators amplified our message across digital platforms.
The 2020s: Leading Industry Innovation
Today, NFRA stands at the forefront of industry evolution, embracing digital commerce through partnerships with platforms like AdAdapted digital media platforms to reach consumers through e-commerce integration and mobile engagement. A fourth national promotion was introduced in 2023, bringing together our categories for the first time with ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen.
In 2024, we launched two groundbreaking initiatives: the Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest, celebrating innovation in frozen and refrigerated foods, and our industry-first podcast, Chill & Chat with NFRA, featuring thought-provoking conversations with industry leaders.
The First Penguin: Next Generation Leadership Program, introduced in 2025, exemplifies our commitment to developing future industry leaders. This selective program provides exceptional young professionals with unparalleled networking and growth opportunities within the frozen and refrigerated foods sector.
NFRA continues to drive industry advancement through:
• Digital-first consumer engagement reaching millions through Easy Home Meals
• Sustainability leadership and promotion of environmental stewardship
• Support for emerging trends including plant-based options and clean label products
• Innovation in retail partnership programs
• Strategic industry education and professional development
As we look to the future, NFRA remains committed to advancing the frozen and refrigerated foods industry through innovation, education, and collaboration. Our history of adaptation and growth positions us to lead the industry through future challenges and opportunities.
