Get a $50 Discount to the 2007 Retail Executive Conference
Registrations received through December 31st for the 2007 Retail Executive Conference qualify for a $50 discount! The Conference provides a unique opportunity for learning and networking in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. This 15th Annual Conference, April 30 – May 2, 2007, in Tempe, AZ, features an exciting new agenda. Attendance is limited, so register early. Click here for more information and a registration form.

They’ll be Dancing in the Aisles for March National Frozen Food Month
NFRA’s collaboration with Warner Bros. and the DVD release of the popular new movie Happy Feet is sure to create more excitement than ever in the aisles during March. NFRA has created an Idea Book and Catalog to help you leverage the Happy Feet property. Point of sale materials are also now available to help you promote March National Frozen Food Month. Find out more about the promotion or view the Idea Book online.

NFRA Creates Cool Chef Video Library for Members
NFRA is partnering with MarketMetric to create twelve online streaming videos that will feature a cook/chef preparing a recipe or meal using frozen and refrigerated foods. Two of the videos will also promote March Frozen Food Month and June Dairy Month. This video library will be available at no cost to NFRA members, providing free web content that will encourage usage and sales of frozen and refrigerated foods. The new streaming technology will also encourage web site visits and extend consumers’ stay. Click here for more information and to see a sample video.

Mintel Predicts 10 Hot Trends to Hit Supermarket Shelves in 2007 Including Amazonia, Refills, and Teen Snacking
As the year comes to a close, Mintel’s trendspotters have predicted 10 key trends that will shape the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in the New Year. In addition to focusing on sustainability and a return to simplicity, companies are also expected to embrace more age-specific product launches, technology-savvy marketing initiatives and a rejuvenated celebration of the breakfast segment. Click here for a brief snapshot of the upcoming trends.

Industry Campaign Reaches Millions of Consumers with Frozen Food Message
In 2007 as we transition from Bring Us To Your Table! to the new Frozen Foods – Fresh Ideas. Great Taste. tagline, we will continue to reach out to consumers with the frozen food message. Last year, NFRA sent five press releases – including two translated into Spanish – and six radio spots to consumer press around the country. Newspaper placements totaled 2,392 reaching 115 million consumers. Radio spots aired 1,549 times reaching an audience of 108.8 million. In addition, the campaign helped to fund a consumer e-newsletter, the development of point of sale material for all our promotions, a year-round planning guide and more. This campaign is completely funded with industry dollars, and we need your support to continue these outreach efforts. Click here to learn more about the campaign or to sponsor the program.

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.

RETAILER/WHOLESALER

Smart & Final Stores Corp.
www.smartandfinal.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 & refrigerated foods.

RENEWALS

Konoike-Pacific, Inc.
1420 Coil Avenue, Wilmington, CA

Golbon recently announced the appointment of Randy Taylor as President of Golbon. Taylor is a 35-year veteran of the food service industry. His 21 years at Golbon have yielded tremendous results over the years. Taylor has held nearly all senior management roles while with Golbon. For more information: www.golbon.com

ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston recently introduced Sweet Things® Sweet Potato Products. Sweet Things products are a good source of fiber and have Zero Grams Trans Fat. Choose from Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Things Fries. Available in traditional flavors of brown sugar, molasses and sweet butter, Sweet Things Mashed Sweet Potatoes deliver the classic sweet potato taste customers love. Sweet Things Fries, coated with Lamb Weston’s patented Stealth® coating, provide a smooth interior texture with a bite much crispier than any other frozen sweet potato fry. For more information: www.lambweston.com

ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston recently introduced Ultragrain® Whole White Wheat Flour Crusts. Ultragrain delivers the delicious taste and texture of refined flour with the nutritional benefits of whole grain flour – natural B vitamins, Vitamin E and dietary fiber. Lamb Weston products featuring Ultragrain flour crusts include Hand Fulls® School Stuffed Sandwiches and select Holly Ridge® Fruit Turnovers. For more information: www.lambweston.com

F.A.B., Inc. recently welcomed their newest member Black River Produce. Founded in 1978, the company is based in North Springfield, VT and services Vermont and the border areas of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York. Black River Produce supplies the finest fruits, vegetables, seafood and floral products to a variety of restaurants, stores etc. For more information: www.frostyacres.com

Gorton’s announced the roll out of three new products in 2007: Beer Battered Shrimp Temptations, made with an authentic pub-style beer batter coating; Potato Crunch Fillets, made with white fish and featuring a coating made with real potatoes mixed with specially toasted breading; and Potato Crunch Fish Sticks, also made with white fish, a coating made with specially toasted breading and described as having “a great potato chip flavor and crunch.” For more information: www.gortons.com

Henningsen Cold Storage Co. recently announced the purchase of a multi-use industrial property adjacent to its cold storage operation in Forest Grove, Oregon. The new “Yew Street” property is an ideal place for light manufacturing, packaging and distribution. Situated on nearly 9 acres, the property offers a mixed use of industrial warehouse space (70,000 square feet), Class A office space (19,000 square feet), and land for expansion. With the addition of the new Yew Street property, Henningsen now has nearly 50 acres of rail-served industrial property in Forest Grove.  For more information: www.henningsen.com

HP Hood recently introduced two new flavors of New England’s Favorite EggNog: Cinnamon EggNog and Pumpkin EggNog. Made with real cinnamon and pumpkin, the limited-edition flavors were developed by Hood’s expert eggnog makers. Hood also offers a variety of eggnog products for every taste and lifestyle: rich and creamy Golden EggNog; Vanilla EggNog, with pure vanilla extract; Light EggNog, providing all the great taste with less fat; and No Sugar Added, EggNog Flavored Fat Free Milk, using nonfat milk. All Hood EggNog products will be available until January 2007 and for those who wish to enjoy eggnog after the holiday season, Hood EggNog can be frozen for up to six months. For more information: www.hood.com.

Kahiki Foods recently announced the launch of a new all-natural line of frozen Asian entrees and appetizers. The product line-up will include seven items that range from 9.5 to 13.5 ounces. Flavors include: General Tso’s Chicken with Hibachi Fire-Grilled Antibiotic-Free Chicken, served with Brown Rice; Mandarin Orange Chicken with Hibachi Fire-Grilled Antibiotic-Free Chicken, served with Brown Rice; Szechuan Peppercorn Beef with Coleman® brand Fire-Grilled All Natural Beef, served with Brown Rice just to name a few. Attributes of the product line include: 100% Natural Ingredients; No Artificial Additives or Colors; No Preservatives; Minimally Processed Ingredients; Zero Trans Fat; GMO-Free Ingredients and Lower Sodium Levels. For more information 614-322-3198

RFID Journal LIVE! 2007 will hold its 5th Annual Conference & Exhibition April 30 – May 2, 2007 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, FL. Get everything you need to put RFID to work today at the world’s largest RFID conference & exhibition.  The event features 5 tracks focused on using RFID in key industries: retail/consumer goods, health care/pharmaceutical, defense/aerospace, manufacturing and transportation/logistics. Plus 8 pre-conferences and CompTIA RFID+ training & certification. The 86,000 sq.-ft. exhibit hall will feature the largest showcase of top technology providers.  Special Walt Disney World™ Resort vacation packages available.  For more information: http://www.rfidjournal.com/live2007/

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.