It’s March, which can only mean one thing: it’s Frozen Food Month! With frozen food giants like Dole, Eggo, Jimmy Dean and Tyson participating in the 31st annual celebration of this promotion, there’s a good chance Sales Advisors will see a few frozen items appear on their event carts. And while frozen foods of the past have sometimes gotten a bad rap, there’s a lot you can do to help shoppers see the benefits of today’s nutritious and convenient options—and get a little piece of this over $44 billion annual market.
One common concern that many shoppers have is that frozen foods aren’t as healthy or high-quality as their non-frozen counterparts. To overcome this, make a point of letting shoppers know that freezing actually helps preserve the nutrients in foods. In fact, frozen fruits and vegetables may be even healthier—and better tasting—than some of their fresh counterparts, says the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, thanks to being frozen at the peak of ripeness and within hours of being picked.
It can also help to remind shoppers of the convenience of frozen foods. Play up the aspects of items you’re demonstrating that make getting a meal on the table easier, such as shortening prep time or easing cleanup with all-in-one cooking containers. Also point out that frozen foods can be a great way to help control portion sizes, either through single-serve meals or resealable packages that let you use just what you need and store the rest for weeks or even months.
Last but not least, be sure to use the many Frozen Food Month promotions available this month to your advantage. For example, tell shoppers about the valuable coupons that will be appearing in inserts in local papers. Also let them know about the hundreds of recipes—and the chance to enter the $10,000 Frozen Food Month sweepstakes—available at EasyHomeMeals.com. Tying in with this year’s slogan, encourage your shoppers to “Take a Fresh Look at Frozen” this month—and throughout the year.