For Immediate Release
Kate Landis
717-657-8601
[email protected]
Winners selected for standout product development, category disruption, and consumer appeal.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 11, 2025) — The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has announced the winners of its annual Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest, created to spotlight up-and-coming brands reshaping the frozen and refrigerated aisles through innovation, flavor, and purpose.
Following a competitive review process, eight finalists were selected to submit product samples and promotional materials for evaluation by a panel of industry judges:
- Actual Veggies – Super Fries
- CitraPac Inc. – Nature’s Premium Parfait Pearls
- CVT Inc. – CVT Soft Serve
- Fat and Weird Cookie Company – Stuffed Mega Cookie Dough Bites
- Frönen – Salted Caramel Frozen Dessert Pint
- Jesse & Ben’s – Tallow & Sea Salt House-Cut Fries
- Maia Yogurt – Maia Kids No Sugar Added Pouch (Blueberry)
- MyForest Foods – MyBacon
Four brands earned top honors in the following categories:
- Most Unique Promotional Campaign: Frönen, for its clean ingredients and nostalgic flavor
- Most Disruptive Product: Jesse & Ben’s, praised for reintroducing tallow in a clean-label fry
- Most Creative Packaging: Actual Veggies, with its bold color, educational design, and kid appeal
- Grand Prize: CVT Soft Serve, for its nostalgic taste, simple ingredients, and “game-changing” format
“The Penguin Pitch recognizes brands that bring new thinking, standout flavor, and category growth potential,” said Tricia Greyshock, NFRA President and CEO. “This year’s finalists demonstrated a strong mix of consumer relevance and forward-looking innovation.”
As the Grand Prize winner, CVT Soft Serve will receive a featured table in Café NFRA at the 2025 NFRA Convention, October 18–21, in Orlando, Fla. The placement provides direct exposure to leading retailers and industry decision-makers. Learn more at nfraconvention.org.
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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. To learn more, visit nfraweb.org.
