The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)  announced the finalists for its inaugural NFRA Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest. The competition, which launched in January, was created to identify and celebrate the “next big brand” among frozen and refrigerated food manufacturers.

“We were thoroughly impressed at the level of participation and quality of entries that we received,” said Tricia Greyshock, president and CEO at NFRA. “The finalists that have been identified and will move to the next phase of judging showcase what it takes to stand out, whether that be through flavor, disruption, innovation and packaging.”

The 2024 Penguin Pitch Finalists include the following:

“Smaller, emerging brands represent an important part of the industry, and we’re able to connect these companies to a wider network and potential business opportunities at the NFRA Convention and beyond,” said Greyshock.

The top winner will be announced later this summer and will be awarded a coveted product showcasing space at Café NFRA during the 2024 NFRA Convention (October 5-8, National Harbor, Maryland). The Café offers an invaluable opportunity to feature their product and brand to industry leaders and retail partners over the course of three days. Three Honorable Mention awards will also be announced: Most creative packaging; most disruptive product; and most unique promotional campaign.

National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)
 NFRA is a non-profit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. NFRA sponsors national promotions ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen (January), March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties (June/July); and provides consumer information such as food safety guidelines, meal preparation tips, recipes and sweepstakes opportunities through its Easy Home Meals consumer website and social media properties.