The frozen food and beverage business plays a significant role in the U.S. economy, according to a new study commissioned by the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), McLean, Va. The study found that in 2012, the industry contributed $56 billion to U.S. GDP and accounts for 670,000 jobs across 49 states.

The study, which was conducted by the Policy Navigation Group, Fairfax, Va., provides a comprehensive estimate of the frozen food and beverage community’s impact on the broader U.S. economy, as well as its contribution to the economies of individual states and U.S. congressional districts.

According to the report, each direct job among frozen food and beverage makers supports 3.35 jobs elsewhere in the U.S. economy. Counting direct, indirect and induced economic effects, the frozen food and beverage community’s total impact on U.S. labor income was $35 billion. (Direct and indirect effects are the jobs created by frozen food and beverage companies and the jobs that come into existence as a result of their economic productivity. Induced effects are jobs created as a result of frozen food and beverage employees spending their income).

“Frozen food and beverage makers and distributors in their quest to offer consumers convenient and nutritious products also make a vital contribution to communities large and small in nearly every corner of the country,” says Kraig Naasz, president and CEO. “Understanding the positive role served by frozen food and beverage makers aids our efforts to advocate for sensible policies that drive economic growth and ensure the rightful place of frozen food as part of nutritious diet.”

Regional economic impact on frozen food production
On a regional level, the study finds that the footprint of frozen food and beverage production is widespread in the United States and a vast majority of the 435 U.S. congressional districts. On average, frozen food and beverage makers contributed more than $400 million per state. The Top 10 states, in terms of the total number of jobs directly or indirectly attributable to the industry in 2012, were California (49,000 jobs), Washington (33,400), Texas (29,200), Illinois (26,000), Ohio (25,400), Oregon (21,600), Wisconsin (20,300), Florida (17,500), Pennsylvania (15,900) and Tennessee (13,800).

In addition to reporting the frozen food and beverage industry’s impact on a national and state level, the study also breaks down the direct vs. indirect impact of the industry.

CLICK HERE to access the entire study.