NFRA Forms Alliances with RQA, Inc. and TRAP-IT Security for Food Safety and Quality Assurance Services

As food security reaches utmost importance in our industry, NFRA has partnered with two industry leaders to offer discounted services to its members. RQA, Inc. is a global leader in strategic product development, quality assurance, crisis management and recall services to the consumer products industry. RQA supports a broad range of functions including marketing, research and development, quality assurance, operations, logistics, consumer care, risk management, legal and regulatory. Visit them on the web at www.rqa-inc.com.

TRAP-IT® Security Inc. is a food security software company. Their product, the TRAP-IT Security Planner is a software tool that will help companies organize and create a Food Security Plan that is credible, documentable and auditable. Visit them on the web at www.trap-it.com.

For more details on discounted pricing call NFRA at 717- 657-8601.

Your School Lunch Program Sales May be at Risk

Effective July 1, 2005, the USDA will require food suppliers and vendors participating in the 2005 Federal Food and Nutrition Commodity Procurement programs to have food security plans in place to be eligible for bidding. Click here for more information from TRAP-IT Security on Meat and Fish, Poultry and Eggs and Fruits and Vegetables and developing a documented food security plan.

March Golden Penguin Deadline Approaching

Time is running out to enter the Golden Penguin Awards Competition for March National Frozen Food Month. Golden Penguin winners will be nationally recognized at a special Awards Reception and Banquet at the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention in San Francisco, CA. Entries must be received at the NFRA office no later than May 17, 2005. Click here to download the March Golden Penguin rules brochure.

Last Chance to Order June POS

June Dairy Month is right around the corner. Merchandise the refrigerated dairy department during June, and compete for your chance to win a Golden Penguin Award! June POS materials are available from NFRA. Click here to see the June Idea Book and POS catalog and the Golden Penguin rules and entry form.

June/July Ice Cream & Novelties Promotion Includes Retail Display Contest and Consumer Instant Win Game

There is no better time to promote everyone’s favorite ice cream and novelties treats than during the top sales months of summer. The Summer Favorites promotion offers a Retail Display Contest and another opportunity to compete for the coveted Golden Penguin award. Get consumers excited about the promotion and increase sales with the $32,500 Summer Favorites Instant Win Game. Special POS announcing the Instant Win Game is available from NFRA. Click here to find out more about the Ice Cream & Novelties promotion.

Get Your Convention Registration in Now to be in the First Pre-Reg List

It pays to register early for the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention. You must be registered by June 3 to be included in the first pre-registration list, which is used by delegates to schedule appointments prior to the Convention. Last year over 50 supermarket chains were represented at the Convention, and they reserved a record number of meeting rooms for customer business appointments. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity. Click here for more details and a registration form.

Support the Growth of the Industry by Making Your Bring Us To Your Table! Freezer Favorites Contribution Today

The Bring Us To Your Table! Freezer Favorites campaign is reaching millions of consumers each year with positive messages about frozen foods. This all-industry effort has the potential to change consumer perceptions about frozen foods and increase frozen food sales across all categories. If you have not yet made your financial commitment for 2005, we appeal to you to support this important effort. NFRA has developed a specific Marketing Plan for the 2005 campaign which outlines its overall goals, specific strategies and budget needs for the year. Click here to see what the campaign’s many accomplishments and our plans for 2005.

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

Great American Appetizers
www.appetizer.com

Retailer/Wholesaler

Lunds Food Holdings Inc.
952/915-2600

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 standards, and strictly adheres to the Code of Recommended Practices for the handling and merchandising of frozen & refrigerated foods.

New

Burris Logistics
1000 Centerpoint Boulevard, New Castle, DE

Burris Logistics
10900 Central Port Drive, Orlando, FL

Renewal

Hall’s Warehouse Corp.
601 Kentile Road, South Plainfield, NJ

Henningsen Cold Storage
2025 Saint Street, Richland, WA

Henningsen Cold Storage (Distribution Center)
391 Victory Avenue, Twin Falls, ID

Henningsen Cold Storage
432 S. Park West, Twin Falls, ID 83303

US Cold Storage
810 E. Continental Avenue, Tulare, CA

U.S. Cold Storage — Plant 2
1600 W. Calton, Laredo, TX

U.S. Cold Storage — Plant 3
1602 Island Street, Laredo, TX

Western New York Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association has completed a successful March Frozen Food Month beginning with a kick off meeting highlighting guest speaker, Dennis Mullen, President and CEO of Birdseye Foods. The March promotion featured print ads in the Buffalo and Rochester markets which highlighted 10 manufacturer’s products as well as a Wegmans full page ad. Consumers had the opportunity to win a $500 shopping spree in each market. Additionally, radio coverage in both markets announced weekly Freezer giveaways with one winner per market, totaling 10 freezers!

WNYFRFA is also planning a June is Dairy Month program with print ad and radio with a focus on the 3 A Day message. A consumer sweepstakes will offer Family getaway opportunities as well as shopping sprees. There is space for 10 manufacturer participants, with 3 commitments so far.

On July 19^th, WNYFRFA will hold its annual Paul Sheehan Memorial Scholarship Golf outing at Eagle Vale Golf Course. For more information or to participate in a WNYFRFA event, contact: John Bari, 716-636-0484 ext. 2528

Western New York Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association has also announced the debut of their new website at www.wnyfrfa.com which will be a work in progress as they look to utilize the site for all of communications for the organization.

The Eastern Frosted Foods Association will hold its annual Night at the Races to support the scholarship fund on Thursday, June 2, 2005 at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The evening includes a buffet dinner at 6:00 PM with the first race at 7:30 PM. Cost is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Register online at www.effa.org or call 973- 835-1710.

Connell Purchasing Services recently announced the appointment of Paul Bellisario to assume the position of Vice President, Indirect Sourcing. Prior to joining Connell, Paul served as Director of Corporate Purchasing, Capital Goods for Dean Foods Co. and most recently was Commodity Leader of Purchased Services for Brunswick Corporation.

United States Cold Storage recently announced the retirement of Patrick W. Fitzpatrick. He served nearly 35 years in the public refrigerated warehouse industry in Canada and the U.S. and retired as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating officer in Fresno, CA. As an industry veteran with more than 3 decades of experience, Fitzpatrick has been asked to serve USCS as a member of its board of directors.

United States Cold Storage also announced the retirement of John Kurtz operations manager for the two Omaha warehouse facilities after 43 years of service. John joined the company in Omaha as a warehouseman at the age of 18.

United States Cold Storage announced the promotion of Michael Radnoti to National Sales Manager. Radnoti will be located at the USCS warehouse and distribution center in Lyons, IL where he previously held the position of Operations Manager and more recently, Manager.

Athen’s Foods recently announced the addition of Athen’s Foods® Ready-To-Go-Fillo Dough™. Available in a variety of flavors such as tomato, spinach, black bean and corn and dessert flavors such as graham and chocolate made with Ghirardelli™ chocolate. For more information www.athens.com

Bakery Chef recently announced the addition of French Toast Sticks from Krusteaz®. Griddled, not deep-fried, with half the fat of deep-fried French toast sticks, and 0g trans fat. Available in Homestyle and Cinnamon varieties. For more information: 800-925-5754 or www.bakerychef.com

ConAgra Foods Specialty Potato Products recently announced the addition of Lamb Weston Brands Amaizeing Fries™. Offered in two unique cut styles: Thin Strips and the classic CrissCut® shape. The Thin Strips are wide potato planks with raised ridges to increase crispy texture in every bite. The patented CrissCut® fry shape, delivers incomparable yield and plate coverage. An irresistible combination of hearty potato and seasoned corn flavor, Amazeing Fries make a great creative appetizer or side item. For more information: 800-766-7783 or www.lambweston.com

F.A.B., Inc. (Frosty Acre Brands) announced the addition of Buchy Food Service, Greenville, OH as a new member. Buchy Food Service was founded in 1878, as a manufacturer of meat products. Operating today as a broadline foodservice distributor, customers include independent restaurants, concessions, pizza, BBQ restaurants and chain accounts. For more information: www.frostyacres.com

Golbon announced the addition of Five Star Foods, Inc. of East Rutherford, NJ; T.R. Jobbing, Inc. of Middle River, MN; and North Jersey Tobacco, Inc. of Paterson, NJ as new distributor members. Five Star was founded in 1946 as an Italian niche. Today their focus includes their Italian restaurant business as well as full menu restaurants, pizza shops, sandwich shops, institutions and white tablecloth. T.R. Jobbing’s primary focus revolves around C-Stores, taverns, and independent restaurants. North Jersey Tobacco’s primary focus is C-Stores and independent delis. For more information: 724-746-4930

Hanson Logistics recently announced the relocation to a new office. The company is now located at 2900 South State Street, Suite 4 East, St. Joseph, Michigan. It previously operated from offices within its Benton Harbor warehousing facility. The move will better facilitate the company’s expanded logistic services. For more information: www.hansonlogisticsgroup.com

Land O’ Lakes recently announced the addition of Light Butter with Canola Oil. Offering an alternative taste of butter without the fat and cholesterol content, Spreadable Butter with Canola Oil contains 60 percent less cholesterol, 50 percent less fat, and 50 percent fewer calories than regular butter with zero grams of trans fat and carbohydrates. Offering immediate spreadability right out of the refrigerator. For more information: 651-481-2342

Sargento Foods recently announced the addition of Bistro Blends freshly shredded cheeses. Available in a variety of flavors such as: Mozzarella & Asiago with Roasted Garlic, Mozzarella with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil, and Cheddar Salsa with Tomato & Jalapeno Peppers. Ideal for adding pizzazz to dishes and any cuisine. For more information: 800-558-5802

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.