Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa discusses frozen foods' record retail sales and foodservice challenges due to COVID-19 with Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). They also talk about AFFI’s efforts to protect workers along the cold chain during the crisis, changes in packaging to allow increased inventory and easier supply chain movement, and efforts to retain new frozen food customers after the pandemic.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa talks foodservice distribution and restaurant reopening after COVID-19’s complete disruption of the industry, with Jim Osborne, SVP of customer strategy and innovation at US Foods. Volume foodservice—restaurants, hotels, catering, schools, and more—accounts for approximately 1/3 of the food produced in the country. We also discuss US Foods’ sudden shift to retail distribution while restaurants were closed, and how pack sizes were (and were not) modified for store shelves.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa discusses strategies for marketing and promoting cold foods amid the COVID-19 pandemic with Jeff Rumachik, EVP and COO of the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA). They also detail the NFRA’s 75th anniversary plans, and the unforeseen coronavirus challenges to scheduled events and awards in celebrating that milestone birthday. (Intro and outtro guitar performed by Tad Wilkes).

Food Engineering magazine (a sister publication to Refrigerated & Frozen Foods) Editor-in-Chief Casey Laughman talks with Brian King, Owner and President of A M King, about how food processing and distribution operations are being severely impacted by COVID-19. Facilities are suspending operations to protect employees while the food chain is being jeopardized. Companies must develop new strategies for operating at full production while ensuring the health and safety of their workforces.

Sponsored by: A M King

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa spoke with John Calloway, general industries marketing manager for Regal Beloit Corporation, about the company’s washdown motors for food processing, how the IoT (Internet of Things) is creating new efficiencies for motors, and also how Regal Beloit is pivoting its business strategy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa spoke with Josh Knott, president of the Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) and also president of Knott’s Fine Foods in Tennessee, about why the health of those working along the cold chain is more important than ever, and how consumers are creating chaos through perceived shortages and stockpiling.