Last Chance to Register for the Retail Executive Conference
Time is running out to attend the 12th annual Retail Executive Conference, April 26-28, 2004 at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel & Conference Center in Tempe, AZ. For a list of registered delegates, contact NFRA at (717) 657-8601. Click here to see the detailed Conference agenda and download the registration form.

On the Road to the Gold!
Now that the 2004 March National Frozen Food Month promotion has come to a close, it’s time to begin compiling your results for entry into the Golden Penguin Awards Competition. Golden Penguin winners will be nationally recognized at a special Awards Reception and Banquet at the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention in Washington, DC. Entries must be received at the NFRA office no later than May 18, 2004. Click here to download the March Golden Penguin rules brochure.

Order June Dairy Month POS materials early!
Plan now to merchandise the refrigerated department for June Dairy Month and compete for your chance to win a Golden Penguin Award! Specially-designed POS materials and specialty items feature the new "cool" penguin mascot and Bring Us To Your Table! Cool Favorites logo. We recommend placing your order by April 15 to allow time for delivery. Click here to see the June Idea Book and POS catalog and the Golden Penguin rules and entry form.

Promote Ice Cream & Novelties during June and July
Boost sales and create excitement in the frozen food aisles during this hot summer event. The Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties Retail Display Contest offers another opportunity to compete for the coveted Golden Penguin award. Enhance customer interaction by promoting the $12,500 consumer sweepstakes with special POS available from NFRA. To find out more about the retail display contest, click here for the contest rules and entry form.

Convention Offers Sponsorship Opportunities
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention is the premier event for face-to-face business meetings. By participating as a Convention Sponsor, companies can gain even more exposure with hundreds of frozen and refrigerated food decision-makers—before, during and after the Convention. NFRA has developed sponsorship opportunities for the Breakfast Sessions, Awards Reception & Banquet, an all-new Internet Café, Refreshment Breaks and General Sponsorships. Click here for details on the benefits of sponsorship and a commitment form.

Scholarship Program a Success
The Frozen Food Industry Memorial Scholarship Foundation was again able to provide financial assistance to more than 50 students preparing for careers in the food industry at 24 colleges and universities. Contributions for 2003 totaled $72,550. Total contributions received since the fundraising drive was launched in 1966 equal $874,585. Click here for more details on the Scholarship Fund.

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

Manufacturer

Silver Springs Citrus, Inc.
www.silverspringscitrus.com

Sales Agent

The Marcella Group Inc.
863-293-1569

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 of the Code of Recommended Practices for the handling and merchandising of frozen & refrigerated foods.

Renewals

Ashland Cold Storage
1556 W. 43rd Street, Chicago, IL

Hanson Cold Storage
3440 Concord Road, Lafayette, IN

Hanson Cold Storage
2150 S. County Road 125 West, Logansport, IN

Interstate Cold Storage
4350 Roberts Road, Columbus, OH

Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Co.
820 East 13th Street, Albert Lea, MN

Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Co.
End of Polar Road, Worthington, MN

NOCS West Gulf
9223 Highway 225, La Porte, TX

NOCS/Gulf
3401 Alvar Street, New Orleans, LA

NOCS/Gulf
3411 Jourdan Road, New Orleans, LA

SCS Refrigerated Services
303 S. River Street, Seattle, WA

US Cold Storage
810 E. Continental Avenue, Tulare, CA

Henningsen Cold Storage Co. announced new hires and promotions. Mike Keller has been named Chief Engineer of the Twin Falls, ID warehouses, Bill Daniel has been named Administrative Services Manager at the company’s headquarters in Hillsboro, OR, Pete Lepschat has been promoted to Assistant Manager of Engineering Services, Mike Bailey has been promoted to Chief Engineer at the Forest Grove, OR operation and Sergey Mikhaylov recently accepted the position of Assistant Engineer at the Forest Grove, OR facility.

Iceland Seafood Corporation announced that Scott Miller has been appointed National Account Manager. Scott has extensive experience in the foodservice industry.

Edward J. Piszek founder of Mrs. Paul’s Kitchens recently passed away at his home in Fort Washington, PA. Piszek and friend, John Paul, a bread salesman, each came up with $350 and went into the frozen seafood business. Piszek bought out Mr. Paul in the 1950’s, and he sold the business to Campbell Soup Company in 1982.

Edward John "Ned" Maher, retired Chairman and Chief Executive of the H.C. Boerner Company and Vice Chairman of parent, the Harvey Group, passed away on March 8, 2004 in Wilton, CT. Maher joined Howard Boerner shortly after the former Minute Maid National Sales Manager formed his New York food brokerage firm in 1954.

United States Cold Storage announced that Jerry Boyle, Vice President, IT Development has retired after thirty-seven years. He joined USCS in April 1966 as an IBM Supervisor and for the next thirty-seven years directed the company’s IT efforts.

The Frozen & Refrigerated Association of the NorthEast recently held the 49th Anniversary State of the Industry Gala and Dinner Dance at the Mohegan Sun Hotel in Uncasville, CT. Val Vivenzio, Director of Frozen Food and Dairy for Big Y Supermarkets was the featured speaker. The evening included the Member of the Year Award and the establishment of a scholarship to be awarded each year in memory of Charlie Sardo, Mama Rosie’s.

The Eastern Frosted Food Association will hold their annual Blue Penguin Dinner on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at the Marrriott Glenpointe Hotel in Teaneck, NJ, to celebrate a successful "March is Frozen Food Month." For more information: 973-835-1710

Coldkeepers, LLC was recently profiled on MSN’s Your Business. The profile tells the story of a young Frenchman, de Bazelaire, and his introduction of the freezer bag, already popular in Europe, into the United States. Today Coldkeepers has sold close to 1 million bags in 2003 with a fivefold increase in 2004. For the complete story visit the Profile Archives at http://yourbusiness.msn.com/

Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), Dole Food Company, Inc. and the Crayola® brand have partnered on an educational program that teaches children and their family the importance of eating a variety of colorful, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. The program entitled "There’s a Rainbow on My Plate" will be available at no cost to over 12,000 elementary schools. For more information: www.5aday.org

J & J Snack Foods Corp. announced the winner of LUIGI’S® Italian Ice Sweepstakes. Claudine Neville of Hamburg, NJ was recently awarded $10,000 as the Grand Prize winner of the LUIGI’S® Family Fun Sweepstakes. She was the lucky winner by purchasing a box of LUIGI’S® with the Grand Prize Instant Win game piece printed on the inside of the box. For more information: 800-486-9533

Lamb Weston® has introduced Flamethrower Fries™. Flamethrower Fries will help you capitalize on the latest foodservice flavor trend—HEAT!—with their bold and zesty taste. These shoestring cut fries are coated with the ultimate blend of fiery spices and zesty seasonings. Deep fried or baked in convection or conventional ovens they cook up extra-crisp in a matter of minutes. For more information: www.lambweston.com

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.