The study mimicked consumer purchasing and storage habits of blueberries, strawberries, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, green peas and spinach. To account for variables such as growing conditions, country of origin and time in the supply chain, composite samples were prepared from fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables purchased from six independent grocery stores.

“Our research shows that frozen fruits and vegetables are nutritionally equal to—and in some cases better than—their fresh-stored counterparts,” says Dr. Ronald Pegg, UGA professor who led the study. “In particular, vitamin A was greater in frozen fruits and vegetables than select fresh-stored fruits and vegetables.”

Each fruit and vegetable was analyzed under three conditions—frozen; fresh (on the day of purchase); and fresh-stored (after five days of storage in a kitchen refrigerator).

“Frozen fruits and vegetables are picked and frozen at their peak ripeness, locking in the nutrient value at the point of freezing,” says Alison Bodor, president of the Frozen Food Foundation. “While this research demonstrates the nutritional benefits of freezing, frozen foods and beverages also provide consumers with convenient meal options while minimizing food waste.”