New Tagline/Logo Developed to Promote Refrigerated Dairy Department year-round
NFRA has introduced a new tagline and logo, Cool • Tasty • Wholesome – Refrigerated Foods, to represent the refrigerated dairy department in its all-industry marketing/PR campaign. Since 2003, the campaign under the Bring Us To Your Table! Cool Favorites banner has been reaching consumers with the benefits of refrigerated foods both in-store and through media initiatives. The Cool • Tasty • Wholesome – Refrigerated Foods logo will replace the Bring Us To Your Table! Cool Favorites logo, however the objectives and elements of this year-round campaign will remain the same. For a high resolution logo suitable for printed materials, contact Julie@nfraweb.org.

2007 Retail Executive Conference Includes Live Consumer Panel
The 15th Annual Retail Executive Conference to be held April 29-May 2, 2007 at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel & Conference Center in Tempe, AZ includes an all-new agenda that will offer more interactive sessions. Among the sessions, Willard Bishop Consulting will conduct a live consumer panel that will allow attendees to hear first-hand consumers’ needs and attitudes in shopping the frozen and refrigerated dairy aisles. Register now as this Conference is limited to 150 participants.

Order Your March Point of Sale Today
March National Frozen Food Month will soon be here. Take advantage of NFRA’s partnership with Warner Bros. and the DVD release of the popular movie, Happy Feet, to boost frozen food sales. Specially designed POS materials from NFRA will generate excitement and help you create a successful promotion. Remember to order early for delivery by March. Download the Point of Sale Catalog or call NFRA to receive a print copy.

Enter Your March Promotion for a Golden Penguin Award
You could be the recipient of the prestigious Golden Penguin Award for excellence in promoting and merchandising during March National Frozen Food Month. As you plan your March promotion, remember to document your efforts for entry in the Golden Penguin Awards Competition. Winners receive national recognition at the awards dinner during the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention in October in San Antonio, TX. The official rules will be arriving in the mail in a few days, or download the Rules Brochure with Entry Form now.

Mark Your Calendar for the 2007 National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention
The best “working” Convention in the industry will be held October 13-16 at the San Antonio Rivercenter Marriott in San Antonio, TX. Over 1,200 attendees including 150 retailers attended the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention last year. That’s because they could schedule appointments throughout the Convention to meet one-on-one with the companies of their choice. You won’t believe the business you can accomplish in just a few days! Look for more details on the Convention in the coming months.

Cool Chef Library Includes March Frozen Food Month Video
NFRA with the help of MarketMetric is creating an online streaming video for March Frozen Food Month. NFRA members can use this video and others at no cost and with no hosting fees for the first year. Other videos will feature a chef/cook preparing meals and recipes using frozen and refrigerated foods. This is a great way to provide interesting web content that encourages the use and purchase of frozen and refrigerated foods. Videos will be available at the end of January. See a sample video now.

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.

MANUFACTURER

Gourmet Express
www.gourmetdining.net

RETAILER/WHOLESALER

Affiliated Foods Midwest Coop.
402-371-0555

SUPPLIER

nuBridges, LLC
www.nubridges.com

Associated Grocers, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Steve Numata as C.F.O. Numata, will be reporting directly to John Runyan, President and C.E.O. Numata, has more than 30 years of executive experience in public and private accounting. Most recently, Numata was E.V.P. and C.F.O., and a member of the Board of Directors of SECOR International, a privately held investment and consulting engineering firm.

J&J Snack Foods recently announced the appointment of eight new vice presidents at their 35th Anniversary and National Sales Meeting in Phoenix. John Griffith, a 12-year veteran of JJSF, was appointed Vice President of Information Systems. Harry Fronjan was named Vice President of Human Resources. He has been with the company just over 5 years. Barbara Dassati was appointed to Regional Vice President of Foodservice Sales for the Northeast. Ernest Fogle was named Vice President of R&D, MIA Frozen Desserts. Ernest came to J&J Snack foods in March of 1997 through the acquisition of Mama Tish International Foods. Tom Hunter was named Vice President/General Manager, Uptown Bakeries. Uptown Bakeries is a subsidiary of J&J Snack Foods and produces a full line of baked goods. Mike Harvison was promoted to Vice President/General Manager Country Home Bakers, another subsidiary of J&J Snack Foods. Charles Tommolino was appointed Vice President, Foodservice sales READI-BAKE for Country Home Bakers. David Lauder was named Vice President-Controller for ICEE co., a subsidiary company of J&J Snack Foods. ICEE is part of J&J’s frozen beverages division along with Slush Puppie.

Golbon, America’s Premier Foodservice Marketing Group recently announced the addition of Continental E & J Foodservice. Continental E & J was founded in 1986 as an independent retail goods distributor. Today their primary focus is foodservice products to ethnic themed restaurants, deli’s, fast foods, and national accounts. For more information: www.cejfoods.com

Kroger Co. was recently the top retailer with the best customer service. The survey, conducted for the National Retail Federation and American Express, had around 8,000 consumers write in the name of the drug or food retailer that delivers the best customer service. Following Kroger were two Supervalu-owned banners: Stillwater, MN – based Cub Foods and Pittsburgh-based Shop ‘n Save along with Wegmans, Rochester, NY. BIGresearch conducted the survey and said the research group took into account both the number of responses for each retailer and annual sales to put the retailers on a more level playing field.

Lamb Weston® has introduced Hand Fulls School Stuffed Sandwiches. Featuring appetizing blends of meats, cheeses and sauces, wrapped in a signature Ultragrain™ crust, School Stuffed Sandwiches deliver a tasty, nutritious a la carte meal. Flavors include Cheeseburger, Pepperoni Pizza and Cheese Pizza flavors. For more information: www.lambweston.com

Lamb Weston® recently introduced Pinwheel Wedges. Part of the exclusive LW Private Reserve® line, Pinwheel Wedges have a unique scoop shape and curved ridges for “drip free” dipping. For more information: www.lambweston.com

The Nash Finch Co. has recently joined First Book, an international nonprofit organization providing new books to children from low-income families. As part of Nash Finch’s new educational program, Feeding Imagination, the First Book Marketplace will distribute 10,000 new books, valued at more than $70,000. The children were treated to a story time and book party, with award winning children’s author John Coy. Nash Finch’s C.E.O. Alec Covington and his wife Gail, each led small group readings of Coy’s latest book, “Around the World.”

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.