Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa details how the pandemic transformed this year’s Frozen Foods Processor of the Year award, plus why the ability to shift business on short notice will be key to succeeding in 2021.

Graeter’s Ice Cream, America’s oldest family-owned craft ice cream maker, has teamed up with food technology company Perfect Day to launch Perfect Indulgence, Graeter’s first-ever line of vegan frozen desserts using Perfect Day’s innovative animal-free dairy protein. These products will be available online at graeters.com on November 27th and in Graeter’s scoop shops December 1st, 2020.

RLS Logistics announced a service expansion in Terrell, Texas, to handle temperature-controlled direct-to-consumer fulfillment. The move expands the RLS footprint for its temperature-controlled D2C fulfillment services while enhancing capabilities in the region. What it means for many D2C start-ups and established eCommerce companies is that they can now reach 95% of the U.S. population with a 2-day ground service and 27% within one day.  

Hormel, the makers of Columbus Craft Meats, one of the fastest growing deli brands in the United States, announced the launch of three new items designed as premium charcuterie gift options: Charcuterie 101 Collection, Charcuterie Entertaining Collection and Felino Gold. Each is convenient to give and tempting to purchase for oneself. Charcuterie boxes make excellent corporate holiday gifts for employees and clients and will be shipped directly to recipients. The boxes have limited availability due to the select nature of craft salumi and are not available in stores. 

Booming e-commerce and DTC deliveries are raising questions about the price and sustainability of cold foods packaging. We talk to three companies for tips on balancing cost and conscience.  

Fresh Midwest, the new online fresh food and meal delivery providing locally-grown produce and chef-driven meal solutions, announces its launch to begin in the northern Chicago-area market up through Kenosha, Wisconsin. The company plans to expand throughout the Chicagoland market in early 2021.

Nestlé announced it has acquired Freshly, one of the leading fresh-prepared meal delivery services in the U.S. The deal values Freshly at $950 million, with potential earnouts up to $550 million contingent to the successful growth of the business. This transaction was signed and closed on October 30, 2020. Founded in 2015, Freshly delivers a menu of fresh, chef-cooked meals to customers across the country, breaking down the barriers to healthy eating by delivering nutrition and convenience at scale.

HelloFresh brings back its popular no-subscription-required Thanksgiving Feast. The box is available for preorder beginning October 28th with delivery beginning on November 17. The box is available in two versions and features all the fresh ingredients, easy to follow recipes, and in-depth meal prep guide you’d need to orchestrate the ultimate holiday feast.

 Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt unveiled its latest innovation, new Frozen Greek Yogurt Sandwiches. On the heels of the successful launch of their Dipped Greek Yogurt Bars in May, a new product line that's already contributing 19pts of growth to the Yasso business (Source: IRI, week ending 10/4/20), the brand's newest better-for-you launch is primed for success with standout taste and nutrition, with flavors including Mint Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Bean and Peanut Butter.

Mosaic Foods, the plant-centric frozen meal company based in Brooklyn, adds to their lineup today with a brand-new breakfast line. Six Oat Bowls join the brand’s growing collection, bringing protein-packed sweet and savory breakfast options to your freezer with creative ingredients, from Golden Milk & Blackberry to Sundried Tomato and ‘Everything’.