2008 Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of March National Frozen Food Month

Harrisburg, PA — The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) is celebrating, in March 2008, the 25th anniversary of the longest running promotion in the food industry, March National Frozen Food Month. 

Twenty-five years ago, Murray Lender, then president of Lender’s Bagel Bakery, Inc. and Ron Lunde, then corporate director of frozen food and dairy products for Super Valu Stores became co-chairmen of the March planning committee, and were instrumental in rallying support for the first Frozen Food Month event.  A national campaign enhanced by regional involvement, March National Frozen Food month helped increase frozen food sales 6.7 percent, and dollar sales 8.6 percent, over the previous year according to SAMI. It was the largest gain by a food group that SAMI had ever recorded.

Since its first national advertisement in 1989 in Woman’s Day magazine, NFRA has greatly extended its reach.  Now, March National Frozen Food Month is supported by 23 leading brands and the national FSI reaches over 37 million consumer households.  The online $10,000 sweepstakes has generated over four million consumer entries since 2001.  In the past two years, NFRA has renewed excitement into March National Frozen Food Month through movie tie-ins with the blockbuster movies, Ice Age: The Meltdown and Happy Feet.  NFRA’s members were able to leverage the movie properties through point of sale material, advertising, and special offers, and ultimately attract more consumers to the frozen food aisles. 

For March Frozen Food Month 2008, NFRA will drop a 3-page FSI to over 37 million homes on February 24, 2008, featuring the new Frozen Foods – Fresh Ideas. Great Taste. logo/theme.  In addition, a $10,000 Sweepstakes will be hosted on EasyHomeMeals.com, where consumers can also find great recipe ideas for every meal occasion, learn interesting food facts, and watch food prep segments through streaming video.  Throughout the year, NFRA provides resources to its members including point of sale materials, press releases and radio spots, streaming flash video, and promotional planners filled with fun ideas to warm up the frozen food aisles. 

Join NFRA and its members in celebrating 25 years of March National Frozen Food Month, and experience fresh, convenient ideas for anytime meals and the great taste of frozen food.  For easy meal solutions, food storage and preparation tips, and more information visit www.EasyHomeMeals.com.

BACK