BFFF celebrates 75 year anniversary and frozen food boom

Formerly known as the National Association of Wholesale Distributors of Frozen Foods, the BFFF has been operating since 1948 and represents the entire frozen food value chain.

Commenting on this anniversary year, chief executive Rupert Ashby said: “We have come a long way over the past 75 years and frozen food is now more popular than ever as a healthy, nutritious, and affordable way of stocking our kitchens.​

‘Frozen food boom’​

“I believe that we are at the start of a ‘frozen food boom’ and, in the coming years, households across the country will purchase and enjoy more frozen food than ever before.”​

In light of a recent surge of ethical consumerism in the UK – now worth £122bn – Ashby also commented that consumers can ‘make a choice for the environment’ by buying frozen food.

“Food waste accounts for up to an astonishing 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions,” ​said Ashby. “Frozen food reduces waste throughout the supply chain and at home, as consumers can cook what they need and save the rest for a later date which means that less food is thrown away. This is something we will be emphasising in our anniversary year.​

‘The affordable way’​

“Consumers are increasingly seeing that frozen food is high quality, tastes great, and during a time of high inflation provides an affordable way to maintain a good diet.”​

Ashby’s comments followed BFFF president Ian Stone’s speech at the federation’s Annual Luncheon at the end of last year, which said the frozen food sector was perfectly placed to help consumers off-set some of the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.  

Stone, who is also chief commercial officer of Apetito, said prolonged shelf-life, reduced wastage and competitive pricing means frozen food can help consumers and foodservice operators cope with pressures of double-digit food inflation.

Meanwhile, Equi’s Ice Cream has marked its centenary by opening a new £1.7m factory​​ and headquarters in Rutherglen, Scotland.