NFRA Awards March Golden Penguins
March Frozen Food Month continues to be a success because of the outstanding efforts of the industry. In recognition of excellence in promoting frozen foods during March, NFRA recently awarded 34 Gold Penguins and 39 Silver Penguins. See the complete list of winners or read more about the awards.

Association Annual Business Meeting Announcement
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association is pleased to extend an invitation to all NFRA members for the 65^th Annual Membership Meeting & Luncheon. Pursuant to Article II, Sections 3 & 4 of the bylaws of the Association, the Annual Meeting will be held during the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention on Monday, October 19, 2009 in Washington, DC

The Annual Meeting will begin with a luncheon at 12:00 noon in the Marriott Wardman Park. All members of NFRA are full voting members and are eligible to vote during this Annual Meeting. The senior or designated officer at each NFRA member company represented at the Annual Meeting shall cast his/her company’s official vote.

2010 March Frozen Food Month National FSI Program – Become a Participating Brand
Plans are already underway for another big promotion in March 2010. The promotion will include a 3-page FSI, a consumer sweepstakes, themed point of sale materials and the Golden Penguin competition. NFRA is now taking commitments from brands that want to participate in the March 7, 2010 FSI. This program offers national circulation and couponing opportunities at a huge savings over placing your own FSI. See the brochure and commitment form for complete details.

There is Still Time to Enter the July Ice Cream & Novelties Display Contest
Take advantage of the opportunity to merchandise the ice cream and novelties categories during their peak sales month. Build a winning display and you could receive a Golden Penguin Award. Summer Favorites POS materials are still available. See the Display Contest Rules for more details. Entries are due August 14, 2009.

Compete for the Golden Penguin for the Best June Dairy Month Promotion
Another successful June Dairy Month promotion has come to an end, but there is still time to enter your promotional plan in the June Golden Penguin Awards Competition. The deadline for entries is August 11, 2009. Download the Golden Penguin Rules and Entry Form for complete details.

Promote Frozens as Cool Food for Kids this October
NFRA has teamed with educational curriculum specialists, Young Minds Inspired, to teach children and their families about timely health topics such as eating a balanced diet and portion control and how frozen food can fit into a busy, but healthy, lifestyle. Cool Food for Kids educational outreach materials will be sent to 40,000 elementary schools across the country. A Cool Food for Kids parent sweepstakes featuring a family vacation package, Trek bicycles and Wii Fit will be hosted on www.EasyHomeMeals.com and create additional excitement. You can encourage increased frozen sales with displays using themed point of sale to help drive traffic in the aisles. Visit the Cool Food for Kids page for more information. See the available Cool Food for Kids POS materials in the Idea Book and POS catalog.

Attending the Convention Saves You Time and Money
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention, October 17-20 in Washington, DC, offers the best value for your money. Meet with more than a dozen top companies in just a few days. It could take months on the road to accomplish what you can in just a short time at the Convention. Over 100 retailers have registered so far and have reserved 49 meeting rooms to hold appointments with Convention attendees. Don’t wait until the last minute and have to pay ever-increasing airfare. Make your travel plans now and register today!

NFRA Welcomes Our Newest Members
Please welcome the companies listed below who have met the qualifications of membership and have joined the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association.

ASSOCIATION

Eastern Perishable Products Association
www.eppainc.org

MANUFACTURER

Kidfresh
www.kidfresh.com  

Mediterranean Meals, Inc.
www.mediterraneanmeals.com

SALES AGENT

Reese Group, Inc.
www.reesegroupinc.com

SUPPLIER

Earth Savvy Products, LLC
www.earthsavvyproducts.com  

SmartTurn
www.smartturn.com

Recent Certificate of Excellence Recipients
The Certificate of Excellence, the highest operational award in the frozen and refrigerated foods industry, signifies that a facility conforms to the highest industry and government standards, and strictly adheres to the Code of Recommended Practices for the handling and merchandising of frozen and refrigerated foods.

American Cold Storage
100 Lee Street
Jackson, TN 38302  

American Cold Storage
965 Mullins Street
Humbolt, TN  38343  

FoodPro Corporation
321 E. 5^th Street
Frederick, MD  21701  

Henningsen Cold Storage
2025 Saint Street
Richland, WA  99354  

Henningsen Cold Storage
17400 N.E. Sacramento
Portland, OR  97230  

Henningsen Cold Storage
1000 Paul Mead Road
Stilwell, OK  74960  

Henningsen Cold Storage
391 Victory Ave.
Twin Falls, ID  83301  

Henningsen Cold Storage
432 South Park
Twin Falls, ID 83301  

Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Co.
1907 Fourteenth Street NE
Austin, MN  55912  

Pocono Produce
RT 191 & Chipperfield Drive
Stroudsburg, PA  18360  

United States Cold Storage
1602 Island Street
Laredo, TX  78044  

United States Cold Storage
211 N.E. McClosely Ave.
Lake City, FL  32055  

United States Cold Storage
15 Emery Street
Bethlehem, PA  18015

Joy Kautzer has been promoted to Human Resources Administrator at Lakeside Foods’ Corporate Office in Manitowoc. In this position, she will continue her involvement in benefit administration and company communications as well as an expanded role in the areas of wage & salary administration and affirmative action as well as corporate human resource relations.  

Dave Allen has been promoted to Director of Marketing at Lakeside Foods’ Corporate Office in Manitowoc. In this capacity, he will be responsible for formulating marketing strategies and efforts in all of our areas of business. He will also continue his responsibilities in the sales area.

Produce for Better Health Foundation invites children throughout the United States to participate in the World’s Biggest ‘Healthy Foods’ Treasure Hunt this September in honor of National Fruits & Veggies-More Matters® month. Visit the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters website, www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org, to find out how to host your very own Munch Crunch Bunch Treasure Hunt party or how to join one that’s already been planned.  It’s a party with a purpose; to empower young children (ages 4 to 8) to make healthy food choices and encourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Come and learn about healthy eating and receive an interactive book/game containing 45 Foodle (food riddle) cards that can be taken to the grocery and/or farmers’ market to treasure hunt for fresh produce.   

United States Cold Storage announced that it has established a new public refrigerated warehouse facility in Clearfield, Utah. The 1.8 million cubic foot, multi-temperature storage facility is located 28 miles north of Salt Lake City in Davis County. The facility offers over 6,000 racked pallet positions for the storage of frozen, refrigerated and dry, food products. It will offer temperature ranges from -5ºF to ambient. Providing access to the warehouse are 19 truck dock doors and an enclosed refrigerated dock; it also accommodates trans-loading (cross docking) services. As with all USCS facilities, the company will install its extensive information technology infrastructure for warehouse and transportation management. The warehouse system utilizes RF bar code scanning for a paperless environment while eUSCOLD Online Services enables real time access to inventory and receiving status as well as tracking for orders shipped via USCS Logistics. The company specializes in custom order assembly and providing comprehensive distribution services. For more information: www.uscold.com  

Keep the industry updated about news and staff promotions at your company. NFRA will publish your company highlights monthly in the NFRA Update. Send your company news to us at info@nfraweb.org; via fax to 717-657-9862; or via mail to NFRA, 4755 Linglestown Rd., Suite 300, Harrisburg, PA 17112.