NFRA Bestows Golden Penguin Awards

The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has awarded 27 Gold Penguins to honor the best promotions for the 29th annual March Frozen Food Month. Additionally, 50 companies received Silver Penguin awards. The Golden Penguin Award is given for excellence in merchandising and promotion in the frozen food industry.

The Gold awards will be presented on Oct. 9 at the Grand Awards Banquet during NFRA’s Convention in Washington, D.C. Silver awards are typically given at the local level at various frozen food association meetings. The complete list of winners is available online.

Marketing professionals from accredited colleges and universities served as judges, looking for the best creative effort incorporating use of the "Frozen Foods -- Fresh Ideas. Great Taste." logo/theme during a full 30-day program. Winning entries demonstrated the effective use of promotional elements such as in-store programs, advertising, consumer education, creative use of merchandising materials and special displays.

Joined by 20 participating brands, NFRA boosted awareness for March Frozen Food Month by distributing a three-page FSI containg coupons and package shots to more than 37 million consumers nationwide on March 4, 2012. Consumer outreach included a $10,000 sweepstakes on EasyHomeMeals.com, the Easy Home Meals page on Facebook, and a partnership with Mr. Food that extended the messaging to his TV and online audience’s.

Golden Penguins will also be awarded for quality marketing plans during June Dairy Month and the June/July Ice Cream & Novelties display contest. For more information on any of these competitions, call NFRA at (717) 657-8601.

Harrisburg, Pa.-based NFRA is a nonprofit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. The association sponsors the March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotions, as well as the October Cool Food for Kids educational outreach program.