From Clarence Birdseye's invention of the quick freezing method to modern-day freezing systems, frozen food companies have continually innovated and delivered a variety of products. Frozen foods have revolutionized the way we store and consume food, offering convenience, longer shelf life, reduced food waste, and global access to year-round nutrition. With U.S. frozen food sales exceeding US$74 billion in 2023 and a global market size of nearly US$300 billion, manufacturers meet market demands from industrial customers to everyday consumers across the world for high-quality and safe frozen foods.¹ At the same time, frozen food production and logistics involve an energy-intense series of steps.

The frozen food industry is an integral part of the retail, foodservice, and industrial food system. Frozen fruits and vegetables, as well as other frozen commodities such as meats, seafood, and dairy, serve as ingredients for further manufacturing of frozen meals, entrees, side dishes, and desserts, or preparation at restaurants, cafeterias, and quick-service outlets, or simply for cooking and consumption in the home. Furthermore, frozen foods are a proven format to reduce food waste across the supply chain from foodservice to consumers.²