For engineers and packaging designers, the search for sustainable materials is never-ending. Our cover story talks to three companies who are each tackling the term sustainable packaging in their own way.

This month’s feature is the return of our annual Top 25 Refrigerated Foods Processors Report, a list of the top five companies in each of the following categories: Meat & Poultry; Dairy; RTE, Sides & Prepared Foods; Dips & Spreads, and Fruits & Vegetables. Momentum for refrigerated and fresh foods continue to grow and the ready-to-eat market, largely fueled by refrigerated meals and sides, is among the fastest-growing segments in the F&B industry.

Traditionally this report was part of a larger Top 150 ranking of frozen food manufacturers, typically printed (back when R&FF actually printed a magazine!) in March. This year both the refrigerated and frozen rankings moved – each to their own month – and later in the year to allow for more timely financial information and the release of year-end fiscal reports.

The May Cold Chain Ops is on decarbonization and the many avenues food and CPG companies can take to lower their carbon footprint. Brian Gallagher of Graycor tackles the broad term and range of approaches under its umbrella.

Finally, this issue rounds out with a collection of some of the latest new retail products in the plant-based and alt protein category.

Last month I again had the privilege to help organize and emcee the 25th annual Food Automation and Manufacturing Symposium & Expo. It was an agenda packed with exceptional presentations – everything from rebuilding a Taylor Farms’ Salinas, California, processing plant post fire and automating the production of ice, to celebrating our sister publication, FOOD ENGINEERING, and its 2024 Plant of the Year and Sustainable Plant of the Year, awarded to JBS and Meati, respectively. Keynotes by Tom Kelly, CEO of Automation Alley, and Billy Gillespie and Andy Daly, of Microsoft, were at the intersection of tech and manufacturing. It was a great honor to meet the speakers and presenters and visit with new and returning attendees. Thank you to everyone involved in FA&M and especially to those who shared their stories, knowledge and time!