National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

New this edition

• 1

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  The 2025 NFRA Convention was reported in trade press as setting an attendance record.

  Source
• 2

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  Trade coverage reports the 2025 edition launched a new leadership programme alongside the convention.

  Source

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Glossary

1

Cold chain

The temperature-controlled supply chain that moves frozen and refrigerated food from production through warehousing, distribution, and retail display without breaking the required temperature range. At the NFRA Convention, cold-chain integrity is a core topic because retailers and manufacturers plan categories where product quality depends on every handoff.

2

Blast freezing

A rapid freezing method that uses high-velocity cold air to bring product temperatures down quickly and form small ice crystals. It is relevant to frozen food quality discussions and to supplier meetings about texture, yield, and shelf life.

3

IQF

Individually Quick Frozen processing freezes pieces separately so fruit, vegetables, shrimp, or other items remain loose rather than clumping. IQF is a common specification in frozen retail programs discussed between manufacturers and retail buyers.

4

HPP

High Pressure Processing applies intense pressure at cold temperatures to reduce pathogens and extend refrigerated shelf life without heat. It comes up in conversations about fresh prepared foods, chilled dips, and clean-label refrigerated products.

5

Case-ready

Product that is packaged and labeled at the processing plant so it can go directly to the retail case with minimal in-store labor. Case-ready formats are part of retailer-supplier conversations about labor, shrink, and shelf presentation.

6

Private label

A retailer-owned brand produced by a manufacturer or co-packer. Private-label frozen and refrigerated programs are a regular focus for retailers evaluating assortment, margin, and supplier partnerships at the convention.

7

Category management

The retailer-supplier process of managing assortment, pricing, promotion, and shelf space as a single business category. NFRA speed meetings are structured around these category conversations rather than general sales pitches.

8

Planogram

A diagram that shows where products sit on a retail shelf or in a frozen case. Frozen-aisle space is a key negotiation point, so planogram reviews often shape what buyers and manufacturers discuss during the convention.

9

DSD

Direct Store Delivery means a supplier or distributor delivers directly to the store rather than through a retailer distribution center. It is common in refrigerated dairy and fresh categories where route frequency and temperature control matter.

10

Broker

A sales agency or intermediary that represents food manufacturers to retailers and distributors. Brokers are part of the trading-partner mix at NFRA and may help arrange or support scheduled retailer meetings.

11

Co-manufacturer

A third-party producer that makes product for a brand owner or retailer. Co-manufacturing capacity and food-safety alignment are relevant when suppliers discuss scale, new items, or private-label production.

12

HACCP

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points is a food-safety management system that identifies biological, chemical, and physical hazards and sets controls at critical points. It is a baseline expectation for frozen and refrigerated suppliers working with major retailers.

13

FSMA

The US Food Safety Modernization Act shifted food-safety oversight toward prevention and risk-based controls. Suppliers and retailers referencing FSMA are usually discussing preventive controls, traceability, and supplier verification.

14

SQF

Safe Quality Food is a third-party food-safety and quality certification scheme recognized by many retailers. An SQF certificate or audit status can be part of retailer supplier qualification conversations at the convention.

15

Temperature abuse

Any exposure of frozen or refrigerated product to temperatures outside its required range. It is a quality and safety concern that drives packaging, distribution, and retail handling discussions across the cold chain.

16

Velocity

A measure of how quickly a product sells per store per week, often used to compare items within a category. Retail buyers and manufacturers may use velocity data when discussing shelf space, promotions, and assortment changes.