It’s not delivery, it’s frozen.
That’s right, Americans are in love with frozen food more now than ever before, according to the third annual Power of Frozen in Retail report.
The report, compiled by the American Frozen Food Institute and The Food Industry Association, found that the popularity of frozen foods continues to rise, with sales of the food reaching $74.2 billion over the last year.
According to researchers, the frozen food market remains strong, with consumers continuing to buy frozen products at the grocery store.
In a survey of more than 1,700 consumers, respondents indicated that they found value in frozen foods as total meal solutions that are not only priced at the right point but also save time, are easy to prepare, and meet taste expectations.
AFFI president and CEO Alison Bodor shared in a press release that the report shows frozen foods have had a stable market since before 2020, helping create “predictability for retailers and opportunities for future success.”
“Frozen foods offer the complete package of solutions for today’s shoppers,” Bodor said.
The survey also found that 38% of all shoppers were frozen food’s core consumers, defined as those who consume these foods daily or every few days.
Other factors that have increased the popularity of frozen foods in recent years include the quality and nutritional value that can be found in the frozen food aisle, the report said.
“Both core consumers and the general shopper are looking for frozen foods that meet their specific lifestyle,” Bodor said. “With a range of products available in the frozen food aisle, the category is filled with options frozen at the peak of freshness and providing quality nutrition.”
The surge in frozen foods doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon, as the report found that 94% of consumers expect to buy the same or more frozen products in the coming months.
“Frozen foods remain relevant to shoppers through product innovation, variety, and important attributes like sustainability and health and well-being. Frozen foods continue to be essential to shoppers, and there is an opportunity for food retailers to apply the insights from core frozen food shoppers to other shoppers and see real gains,” Rick Stein, the vice president of industry relations at FMI, shared.