To kick off the first-ever National Frozen Veggie Week (February 19-23), Nortera, a North American leader in vegetable processing, released the results of a survey on Canadians' relationship with frozen vegetables. The survey revealed that 85% of Canadians enjoyed these convenient, nutritious options over the last year, and nearly half (48%) say they purchase them at least once a month.

"As we celebrate Frozen Veggie Week, we're thrilled to see Canadians embrace the versatility and benefits of frozen vegetables," said Christian Malenfant, vice president Strategic Initiatives, Corporate Communications & ESG at Nortera. "When you purchase frozen vegetables, you're getting locally grown produce that's harvested at its peak freshness and flash-frozen to preserve their essential nutrients."

The Omnibus survey conducted by Léger also explored the main reasons why Canadians purchase frozen vegetables, including longer shelf life, year-round availability and convenience. Faced with soaring food prices, a third of Canadians (33%) who have previously purchased frozen vegetables say they are now buying them more frequently because of the increase in grocery costs. This trend is statistically more marked among 18-34 year olds (42%), respondents who have children at home (42%) and 35-54 year olds (38%).

"The results from the survey affirm the essential role frozen vegetables play in Canadian kitchens, providing a nutritious and convenient solution for households across the country," said Mario Lalancette, executive director of Quebec Produce Marketing Association. "Frozen Veggie Week is a fantastic initiative that brings attention to the frozen vegetable aisle and all the culinary possibilities it contains."

Green peas are the most commonly purchased frozen vegetable in Canada, accounting for 14.2% of all frozen veggies purchased, according to Nielsen data. These versatile green veggies not only top the charts, but are a culinary canvas for a variety of easy, delicious recipes from soups to pasta dishes. The next most popular choices are corn, mixed veggies and broccoli.

To celebrate Frozen Veggie Week, Nortera is launching www.frozen-veggies.ca, a hub for nutritious and delicious recipes, simple tips for incorporating more vegetables into your diet, and information about the benefits of choosing frozen. Frozen Veggie Week is an initiative by Nortera, in collaboration with the Quebec Vegetable Processing Producers and the I Love Fruits and Veggies Movement.

About Nortera
With annual sales of $1.15 billion, Nortera is fulfilling its mission to contribute to the well-being of society through access to the richness of vegetables. The company's products are found on tables in North America because of its commitment to providing consumers with healthy, sustainable food. Nortera operates 13 processing plants in Canada and the United States, dedicated to preparing canned and frozen vegetables. In addition to producing major private labels and retail brands, Nortera also markets its own brands, including Arctic Gardens and Del Monte in Canada, and employs about 3,500 people in North America.