NFRA Names March Golden Penguin Winners
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) will award 23 Gold Penguins for the best promotions run during March National Frozen Food Month at the Grand Awards ceremony during the trade group’s annual convention, scheduled this year to take place in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 25. The award recognizes excellence in successful frozen food merchandising and promotion.
Additionally, 55 Silver Penguin winners have been chosen. These awards are usually presented locally at various frozen food association meetings.
Four winners will receive a special Amber Penguin commemorating three consecutive Gold awards in the same category. This year’s Amber Penguin recipients are the Northern California Frozen and Refrigerated Food Council, Hollister, Calif., in the Local Frozen Food Association Over 50 Members category; Save Mart #94, Lathrop, Calif., assisted by Acosta Sales & Marketing, Pleasanton, Calif., in the Retail Supermarket Best Department Display category; and Unified Grocers Southern California Division, Commerce, Calif., in the Wholesaler Co-Op category. Three-time winners must retire from the competition for one year before entering again in the same category.
Other retailer Golden Penguin winners include Monmouth County Market #139, Monmouth, Ill., for Retail Supermarket Best Endcap Display; Tops Friendly Markets #551, Elmira, N.Y., for Retail Supermarket Best Department Display; Kings Supermarket #49, Bedminster, N.J., assisted by Douglas Sales, Piscataway, N.J., for Retail Supermarket Overall Store Promotion; Albertsons LLC Phoenix and Tolleson, Ariz., and Harmons, North Valley, Utah, for Retail Corporate Chain or Division 10-50 Stores; Save Mart Supermarkets, Modesto, Calif., for Retail Corporate Chain or Division Over 50 Stores.
Qualified marketing professionals from accredited colleges and universities at NFRA headquarters served as judges for the competition. Judges assessed the best creative effort including use of the “Frozen Foods – Fresh Ideas. Great Taste.” logo/theme during a full 30-day program. Winning submissions demonstrated the effective use of such promotional elements as in-store programs, advertising, consumer education, creative use of merchandising materials, and special displays.
Golden Penguins will also be given out for quality marketing plans during June Dairy Month and the June/July Ice Cream & Novelties display contest. For more information on any of the Golden Penguin 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 organization is the sponsor of March National Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month, June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotion and October Cool Food for Kids educational outreach program.