NFRA Announces 2023 June Dairy Month and Ice Cream & Novelties Golden Penguin Winners

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has announced the winners of the Golden Penguin Awards competition for its 2023 June Dairy Month and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties promotions. NFRA promotions help the industry drive traffic in the frozen food and refrigerated dairy aisles and increase sales for many categories and brands. In recognition of those efforts, NFRA has awarded 22 Gold awards and 24 Silver awards for June Dairy Month and 17 Gold awards and 16 Silver awards for Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties. See the complete list of winners.

The Golden Penguin Awards provide an opportunity for companies from any segment of the industry to be nationally recognized for excellence in merchandising and marketing frozen and refrigerated foods. The Gold winners will be recognized during the NFRA Convention, October 7-10, 2023, in San Diego, CA. In addition to honoring the Gold winners, the highest scoring entry in each of the Overall Marketing Campaign subcategories will be revealed as Top Marketers during the Tuesday, October 10 Golden Penguin Awards Luncheon at the Convention.

NFRA’s Golden Penguin Awards program features eleven categories that reflect today’s marketing practices, including: In-Store Display, In-Store Event, Community Involvement, Social Media Campaign, Private Brand Campaign, Retail Dietitian Wellness Program (new this year) and Overall Marketing Campaign with subcategories for: Retailer, Wholesaler, Manufacturer, Sales Agent and Local Association. Plus, the Top Marketer Awards honor the best of the best – only the highest scoring entry in each of the Overall Marketing Campaign subcategories will be named as Top Marketer.

Retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, sales agents and associations of any size could enter any category applicable to their business. Entries were judged on their own merit taking into consideration organization size and/or program budget. Companies can also participate in the Golden Penguin competition for March Frozen Food Month.

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NFRA is a non-profit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., NFRA is the sponsor of March National Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month, June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotion, and October Cool Food for Kids educational outreach program. NFRA holds the annual National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention in October. 

Connecting the Industry: National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention, October 7-10, to Facilitate Key Business Meetings with Leading Retailers

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The stage is set for the 2023 NFRA Convention, scheduled to take place October 7th to 10th, 2023, at the Marriot Marquis & Marina in San Diego. Renowned as the premier event of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry and hosted by the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), the convention offers unparalleled opportunities for attendees to foster business growth, forge key partnerships and explore exciting product innovations.

NFRA facilitates an estimated 3,000 business appointments with leading retailers throughout the duration of the event.

Bringing together leading companies from every sector of the industry, the NFRA Convention offers a dynamic platform where business can be conducted efficiently, all under one roof. By providing complimentary meeting rooms to retailers, NFRA ensures that more than 1,300 attendees can maximize their time and productivity, facilitating an estimated 3,000 business appointments throughout the duration of the event. Attendees also get the opportunity to make new connections, sample frozen and refrigerated products, hear from valuable speakers, and network with industry leaders.

The annual Convention will commence Sunday, Oct. 8, with the highly anticipated Taste of Excellence reception where emerging brands and over 50 established leading manufacturers will showcase their latest product innovations. Monday morning will open with breakfast, featuring guest speaker Alex Banayan, bestselling author of The Third Door and expert on exponential growth. Monday afternoon’s Membership Luncheon serves as the association’s annual business meeting with the installation of NFRA’s new officers and directors, as well as the induction of the 2023 Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame members, Joe D’Alberto, Director of Sales for Acosta Sales & Marketing and Skip Shaw, retired President & CEO of NFRA. Monday evening winds down with the Networking Reception, which is an excellent opportunity for all attendees to make connections whether they are veterans of the industry or new members.

Tuesday’s breakfast session features speaker Amelia Rose Earhart, around-the-world pilot, podcast host and artist. The Tuesday Awards Luncheon will honor the 2023 Golden Penguin Award winners for marketing and merchandising excellence for the March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotions. The highest scoring entries will be unveiled as the 2023 Top Marketer Award winners.

To register for the 2023 NFRA Convention, visit NFRAConvention.org. To learn more, watch our NFRA Convention Highlight Reel.

About National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)
NFRA is a non-profit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. NFRA sponsors national promotions ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen (January), March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties (June/July); and provides consumer information such as food safety guidelines, meal preparation tips, recipes and sweepstakes opportunities through its Easy Home Meals consumer website and social media properties.

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NFRA Announces 2023 March Golden Penguin Winners

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has announced the winners of the Golden Penguin Awards competition for the success achieved during the 2023 March Frozen Food Month promotion. NFRA honored organizations for their outstanding efforts in promoting March Frozen Food Month by awarding 31 Gold Awards and 28 Silver Awards. See the complete list of winners.

The Golden Penguin Awards provide an opportunity for companies from any segment of the industry to be nationally recognized for excellence in merchandising and marketing frozen and refrigerated foods. The Gold winners will be honored during the NFRA Convention, October 7-10, 2023, in San Diego, CA. In addition, the highest scoring entry in each of the Overall Marketing Campaign subcategories will be revealed as Top Marketers during a special presentation the Awards Luncheon at the Convention.

NFRA’s Golden Penguin Awards program features eleven categories that reflect today’s marketing practices, including a brand new category for 2023: Retail Dietitian Wellness Program. Complete categories include: In-Store Display, In-Store Event, Community Involvement, Social Media Campaign, Private Brand Campaign and Overall Marketing Campaign with subcategories for: Retailer, Wholesaler, Manufacturer, Sales Agent and Local Association. Plus, the Top Marketer Awards honor the best of the best – only the highest scoring entry in each of the Overall Marketing Campaign subcategories will be named Top Marketers.

Retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, sales agents and associations of any size could enter any category applicable to their business. Entries were judged on their own merit taking into consideration organization size and/or program budget. Companies can participate in the Golden Penguin Awards competition for NFRA’s other promotions including June Dairy Month and June/July Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties by submitting entries online through August 11, 2023.

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NFRA is a non-profit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., NFRA is the sponsor of March National Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month, June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotion, and October Cool Food for Kids educational outreach program. NFRA holds the annual National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention in October. 

64% of Americans Agree: Their most significant barrier to cooking a nutritious meal is the prep time

March Frozen Food Month spotlights affordable frozen options and quick meal preparations for families on the go

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — For people constantly on the go or for parents juggling multiple responsibilities, finding a work-life balance can be tricky. A recent Atomik study for the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) suggested that the time needed to prepare meals is one of the more pressing barriers Americans face regularly. Almost all Americans (94%) look for food options with a longer shelf life so it’s available for cooking convenience – and at least once a week, frozen foods have bailed out almost four in five (77%) parents during last-minute “what’s for dinner” conversations.

To view the multimedia assets and survey information, please visit our landing page.

Finding ways to make mealtime preparation easier means one less chore to worry about, and it’s no surprise that a mix of nutritious ingredients, affordable meals and quick meal preparation time is what Americans want and need the most. This March marks NFRA’s 40th celebration of National Frozen Food Month, and it’s time to put frozen foods in the spotlight as they may be a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to adding easy to grab, nutritious ingredients to your dinner plans.

“With more than half of American parents (69%) indicating that they typically plan dinner on the fly, having a freezer full of frozen options provides quick, easy and healthy solutions for parents during dinner time,” said Tricia Greyshock, EVP/COO at National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association. “Frozen foods can also provide peace of mind for parents knowing that they can still provide nutritious meals at home rather than eating out,” said Greyshock.

As part of ongoing initiatives throughout March, NFRA has also partnered with Jamie Gwen, Chef & TV personality, to share convenient, chef-inspired mealtime ideas for busy families. “Whether it’s comfort foods, healthy items or innovative new cuisines, frozen foods are crucial right now, and it doesn’t mean having to sacrifice flavor OR nutrition,” said Jamie Gwen, Chef & TV personality.

NFRA Awards Competition Encourages March Frozen Food Month 40th Year Celebrations

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — 2023 marks the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)’s 40th annual celebration of March Frozen Food Month! Murray Lender, founder of Lender’s Bagels, was instrumental in developing the first promotion in 1984 as an initiative to increase frozen food sales. The promotion is now nationally recognized and continues to promote the benefits and importance of engaging shoppers and encouraging the purchase of frozen foods.

NFRA has sponsored March Frozen Food Month since its inception and continues to promote the frozen food aisles to consumers by sharing resources with its members throughout the month, including recipes, point-of-sale materials, social content, helpful tips and more. NFRA also administers the Golden Penguin Awards Competition, which honors the best marketing and merchandising in the industry during promotional periods. This national competition is open to organizations of all sizes, including retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, sales agents, and associations  promoting March Frozen Food Month.

The Golden Penguin Awards provide an exceptional opportunity for companies from any segment of the industry to be nationally recognized for excellence in merchandising and marketing frozen foods. With 2023 marking the 40th year celebration of March Frozen Food Month, this is the perfect time to join the excitement and share how your organization promotes frozen foods to consumers.

The awards program features categories that reflect today’s marketing practices, including In-Store Display, In-Store Event, Community Involvement, Social Media Campaign, Retail Dietitian Wellness Programs, Private Brand Campaign and Overall Marketing Campaign with subcategories for: Retailer, Wholesaler, Manufacturer, Sales Agent, and Local Association.

Judged by a panel of distinguished marketing professionals and based on final entry scores, winners receive a Gold or Silver award and will be honored for their outstanding work at the NFRA Convention, taking place October 6-10 in San Diego. A segment of the highest scoring winners will be named Top Marketers, which is unveiled during the Awards Luncheon at the NFRA Convention.

This awards competition is an exciting opportunity for companies of any size to be awarded for their hard work in promoting March Frozen Food Month, whether in-store, in the community, or through various social/digital marketing and other merchandising programs. Entrants can submit their supporting documentation online starting in March and can enter any category applicable to their business by May 5, 2023. Companies can also participate in the competition for NFRA’s other annual promotions including June Dairy Month and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties. For complete awards competition details, please visit www.NFRAweb.org.

About National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)
NFRA (www.NFRAweb.org) is a non-profit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. NFRA sponsors national promotions March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month, and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties; and provides consumer information such as food safety guidelines, meal preparation tips, recipes, and sweepstakes opportunities through its www.EasyHomeMeals.com consumer website and social media properties.

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ReDiscover Dairy and Frozen

ReConnect with the innovation, convenience and variety the aisles offer

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — New Years is the time you get back to good habits. Exercising. Getting organized. Eating better. All the resolutions to ReDiscover a better you. This year, it’s time to get back to the dairy and frozen food aisles at your local grocer as well!

The National Frozen and Refrigerated Association (NFRA) is inviting you to do just that. They’re launching a new promotion all January long focused on ReIntroducing you to the things you love, and some new things you might have missed, in the dairy and frozen sections.

Enter the ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen Gift Card Giveaway at EasyHomeMeals.com
Enter the ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen Gift Card Giveaway at EasyHomeMeals.com

“With resolutions top of mind, we wanted to invite shoppers to reconnect with all the ways the dairy and frozen aisles can support their goals,” said Julie Henderson, VP of Communications for NFRA. “The aisles offer more than ever before, so it’s the perfect time to come back and rediscover old staples and new favorites.”

It’s going to be a big celebration of what the aisles have to offer, and a welcome invitation back to see what you’ve been missing.

If you haven’t visited lately, the dairy and frozen aisles have grown significantly in the past few years. Seriously – they’ve added A LOT of new things to be excited about. Like delicious, innovative products!

The shelves are now full of diverse cuisines, exciting beverages…even innovative desserts. The number of inventive products keep growing, with more added all the time. And dairy isn’t just dairy anymore. Dairy-free options have exploded…and crossed over to the frozen section as well.

There’s also variety like never before. Cuisines like Asian, Italian, Irish, Greek and more fill the aisles from top to bottom. Plus, you can find just about anything for any diet: vegan, gluten-free, organic – the list goes on and on. There is something delicious in the aisles for every taste and dietary preference.

Plus, foods from the dairy and frozen aisles offer the utmost in convenience. The staples you know and love are still readily available to always have on hand. Heat-and-eat and grab-and-go products have multiplied as well, bringing simplicity to even more delicious foods.

If you’re craving new ideas and recipes for your favorite products, Easy Home Meals has you covered. They’ll be sharing fun, innovative content on how to creatively use the products you find, and ways to get the most out of your visits to the aisles.

Plus, you’ll have chances to win a supermarket gift card all month long in the ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen Gift Card Giveaway, beginning January 2, 2023, by participating in the promotion.

There’s so much to ReDiscover in the dairy and frozen aisles. Don’t miss out – visit your local grocer and see what the buzz is about!

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Harris Teeter and SpartanNash to Keynote NFRA Executive Conference

A Professional Development Event with a Focus on Shopper and Industry Trends

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) will hold its 31st annual Executive Conference on April 17-19, 2023, at the Tempe Mission Palms in Tempe, Ariz. Retailer keynote speakers include Tammy DeBoer, President of Harris Teeter and Tony Sarsam, CEO of SpartanNash.

This relaxed, three-day event brings frozen and refrigerated food industry professionals together to network and learn about the latest consumer insights on industry growth and trends. This educational opportunity is perfect for industry newcomers as well as industry veterans. NFRA encourages professionals of all levels to attend, as the informal atmosphere encourages group discussion and personal interaction.

The conference will open on Monday, April 17 with the optional Greater Penguin Golf Tournament at nearby Raven Phoenix Golf Club, followed by an evening welcome reception at the hotel.

Tuesday, April 18 will offer an impressive lineup of speakers, beginning with Retailer Keynote, DeBoer. Jason English, Goldman Sachs, will offer an update on the state of the U.S. consumer as it relates to income, inflation, and net savings/credit. David Portalatin, The NPD Group, will review the Future of Dinner report on consumers continuing to prepare and eat meals at home after the pandemic. Bryan Gildenberg, Confluencer Commerce, will dive into how retailers are winning over shoppers; and from Cornell University is Dr. Ana Krieger’s interactive presentation helping attendees learn basic approaches to improve both sleep health and daytime performance.

Sessions continue after lunch with retailer SpartanNash as well as Ian Jenkins, 4media, who will give a preview on research being conducted on behalf of NFRA. A reception will close the evening, where attendees can mingle and get to know fellow industry professionals.

On Wednesday, April 19 the conference will conclude with breakfast and a final informational session from Ben Metzger and Chris Johnson of Cleveland Research Group on transportation trends and key themes in refrigerated/frozen retail. Attendees can learn about NFRA’s PR and marketing initiatives and how to get involved by attending the Promotions Committee Meeting or the ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen session explaining this new joint promotion.

Registration is currently open on the conference website at NFRAExecutiveConference.org. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available.

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Gift Yourself a Creative and Cool Holiday

See how simple and tasty celebrations start in the Freezer and Dairy Aisles

December 16, 2022 (Harrisburg, PA) – The countdown to the holidays is on. While kids are busy writing their wish lists, adults are crafting their holiday menus. And with a little planning and creativity, those meal plans won’t turn your holiday spirit into holiday stress.

The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) wants to make this year your easiest and most delicious holiday season yet. With tasty recipes, time-saving tips and a host of cool, creative shortcuts from the Freezer and Dairy aisles, your holiday celebrations will be less stressful and more flavorful.

HOLIDAY STRESS-SAVERS

  • Be Prepared: Stock your fridge and freezer with snacks, treats and more. From frozen fruit to pizza rolls and cheeses to yogurt, there’s a variety of grab-and-go and heat-and-eat items that are perfect to have ready for hungry family and friends any time of the day.
  • Keep It Easy: Cut out the prep with pre-cut frozen veggies! The Freezer and Dairy aisles are full of ready-to-use foods to ease your cooking stress. Plus, you’ll waste less by using only what you need and putting the rest back in the freezer for the next time.
  • Skip From-Scratch: Using frozen appetizers and desserts saves time and the hassle of cooking and baking everything yourself. Add a splash of fresh herbs, a savory sauce, a drizzle of chocolate or more, and they’ll look (and taste) just like they’re homemade.
  • Find Inspo: Visit EasyHomeMeals.com or follow Easy Home Meals on Instagram for more creative, inspiring holiday meal, appetizer and dessert ideas.

A Tasty New Site Experience for Deliciously Simple Recipes

EasyHomeMeals.com Gets an Upgrade

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The easiest recipe site just got easier. EasyHomeMeals.com, the consumer-facing website sponsored by the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), recently got an upgrade. The long list of improvements includes a refreshed design, new search features and numerous upgrades that simplify the user experience.

“We wanted the site experience to match the simplicity of our recipes,” said Julie Henderson, VP of Communications for NFRA. “This update, and the new features we added, will make the site even easier for visitors to use.”

The redesigned EasyHomeMeals.com website makes finding simple recipes even easier.Tweet this

Enter the Holiday Helpers Gift Card Giveaway for a chance to win a supermarket gift card until Dec. 19 at the new EasyHomeMeals.com.
Enter the Holiday Helpers Gift Card Giveaway for a chance to win a supermarket gift card until Dec. 19 at the new EasyHomeMeals.com.

Videos and TikTok reels are embedded into many recipes so even novice cooks can get step-by-step instructions. NFRA’s roster of social media influencers regularly create new content and recipes so there’s always something fresh to try.

The extensive recipe database includes many recipes provided by NFRA members who represent some of the top brands found in the frozen and dairy aisles. So, visitors know they’re seeing recipes that are made with trusted products and are test-kitchen approved.

The improved recipe search is tailored to the way users look for recipes, with filters such as: meal type, ingredients, dietary preference, cook times, serving size and more. There’s even a way to search by holiday and occasion, taking the hassle out of deciding what to serve during stressful events.

And if the early numbers are any indication, visitors love it! The site gained over one million pageviews after the relaunch, with no slowdown in sight.

With the holidays approaching, it’s the perfect time to visit the new EasyHomeMeals.com and enter to win a grocery store gift card in the Holiday Helpers Gift Card Giveaway, which runs until December 19.

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Creative, Calm and Cool: Simple Ideas for a Delicious Holiday

The Freezer and Dairy Aisles Can Make Your Celebration Less Stressful and More Tasty

HARRISBURG, Pa. December 17, 2021 — Jingle bells are ringing, presents are being wrapped with care and merry menus are being planned. The most wonderful time of the year is here. Even though the holidays are returning to normal-ish, the normal levels of stress don’t have to come back with them.

This year, the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) is ready with cool and creative recipes and tips to keep the worries low and the festive spirit high. The freezer and dairy aisles are full of secret weapons that can save you time and stress in the kitchen.

TIPS TO STRESS LESS

  • Stock Up: With a fully stocked fridge and freezer, you’ll have plenty of breakfast items and snacks on-hand and ready for hungry family and friends. Fill up with frozen fruit, waffles, eggs, cheeses, yogurts, pizza, wings and more.
  • Embrace Shortcuts: Ease your holiday cooking stress with tasty vegetables and side dishes from the frozen and dairy aisles of the store. All the peeling and chopping is done, saving you time. Waste less by using only what you need and putting the rest back in the freezer for the next time.
  • Cheat a Little: You don’t have to make everything from scratch. Frozen appetizers and desserts are heat-and-eat crowd-pleasers. Dress them up with fresh herbs, a holiday-inspired sauce, a drizzle of chocolate or dollop of whipped cream for a homemade look.
  • Get Inspired: Visit EasyHomeMeals.com or follow Easy Home Meals on Instagram for more creative, inspiring holiday meal, appetizer and dessert ideas.

See the complete multimedia news release with recipes, videos and more on Multivu.com