Editor-in-Chief Kelley Rodriguez discusses the return of trade shows and what’s ahead in the May issue.

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.

Research shows that new flavors and innovative product development over the last several years also created more dedicated frozen food consumers, which tend to purchase more products more often.

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.

A New Year brings with it the possibilities of writing a new chapter.

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.

Our cover story, Cold Foods Processors to Watch, highlights five emerging companies using innovative technology, sustainability, and creative ways to connect with their consumers to leverage growth. These processors overcame a year of manufacturing and logistical challenges, responding to changing consumer tastes while growing their brands.