Welcome to the last issue of 2022!
Our cover story highlights three cold and frozen foods processors to watch in the coming year. These companies exemplify some of the emerging trends in the food manufacturing and processing industry.
The top five winners of our annual Best New Refrigerated Retail Products contest discuss their winning products, sustainability efforts, packaging and more. And as the top vote getter, Godshall’s Beef Bacon, was featured on an episode of the From the Cold Corner podcast. I invite you to listen!
The contest will change slightly next year, with refrigerated and frozen foods combined in a single contest, held during the month of March. Nominations for new products will be accepted beginning in January, so stay tuned and don’t forget to let us know of a deserving new cold or frozen food contender to be crowned Best New Retail Product 2023.
Other highlights of the final issue of 2023 includes a C-Suite Q&A with Jeff Dormo, vice president and general manager of fluorine products at Honeywell, who discusses innovations in low-GWP refrigerants and the latest technology in refrigeration equipment.
Plus, columns on design-build trends for 2023 by Brian Westre of ARCO National Construction and food transportation risks by Lisa Trymbiski of Bryant Surety Bonds, recent equipment advances in HPP technology and more.
It’s been quite a year in the refrigerated and frozen foods industry, with near record high inflation and low unemployment, yet the industry continues to innovate with products designed to meet changing consumer demands that are made, packaged and transported in a more efficient and sustainable way than ever before. Some 50 companies showcased new products at the National Refrigerated and Frozen Foods Association (NFRA) Convention in October, in Orlando, Florida. Big names, small startups and food and beverage companies of all size were sampling their latest and greatest and after attending, I can tell you the future of food is delicious.
