The cold chain continues to adapt to ever-changing economic pressures and evolving consumer habits. While new challenges exist, the cold chain looks robust at the mid-point of 2022.

There are nine ready-to-eat meals with traditional chicken and beef choices as well as vegetarian options.

As cold foods processors continue to implement sustainability goals and initiatives into their business plans, going green means everything from what the food is made with to how it’s packaged for consumer consumption.

While frozen food sales didn’t post the double-digit gains seen during 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, changing consumer tastes and perceptions look to shape the industry in 2022.

Led by CEO Theresa Motter, Van’s Kitchen has weathered the COVID pandemic to sign over 10 new distributor, supermarket and grocery store accounts, increasing the company’s client base by 28%. Van’s Kitchen has spent the past year fulfilling more orders, marking a 40% increase in sales year-over-year.

As the cold chain responded to the challenges of 2021, each of our five Processors to Watch overcame an unprecedented year, growing their brands and positioning them to take off in 2022.

St. Louis-based Louisa Foods—our 2021 Frozen Foods Processor of the Year—can trace its roots back almost 60 years, not to a food processing plant, but a single family-owned restaurant in the Gateway City.

Pilgrim’s Pride announced it has executed an acquisition agreement to acquire the meats and meals business of Kerry Consumer Foods in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Following the acquisition, Pilgrim’s will be a leading food company, with a significant value-added protein and integrated prepared foods business anchored by a portfolio of strong brands.

Nestlé's recently acquired meal delivery company Freshly announced a new partnership with celebrity chefs Jet Tila, Kwame Onwuachi, Sean Brock and Kristen Kish. The partnerships include a limited-edition menu that offers ready-to-eat, restaurant-style dinners that showcase each chef’s unique style, taste and background, delivered directly to customers.

Fresh prepared food manufacturer Bakkavor has appointed industry veteran Peter Laport as president and CEO of Bakkavor USA. Joining the Charlotte, N.C.-based North American headquarters in late 2020, Peter brings a wealth of leadership experience to the position from previous roles in fresh food operations.