Welcome to *Chill &amp; Chat with NFRA* – the podcast where we keep things cool as we dive into the world of frozen and refrigerated foods! Hosted by NFRA, the National Frozen &amp; Refrigerated Foods Association, this show is your backstage pass to the industry that brings your favorite frozen meals, snacks, and dairy aisle products to life.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/29/11/0848c130-9857-4d73-b1cc-80c52ef88c6f_nfra018.mp3

In this episode of Chill &amp; Chat, Matt Point, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations at NFRA, sits down with Stephen Aramburu, Senior Manager of Category Strategy for Total Frozen at Nestle USA, Debbie Curdy, Vice President of Marketing, InnovAsian Cuisine, and Howard Rosenthal, CEO of Culinary Brand Development, to discuss the growing influence of air fryers on today&#39;s frozen and refrigerated foods marketplace.With air fryers now found in most U.S. households, the panel examines how changes in meal preparation are driving changes in shopping behavior. From increased frozen food purchases and product discovery to opportunities around packaging and air fryer instructions, this conversation explores how cooking habits are creating new pathways for category growth.Listen in for practical insights on how retailers and manufacturers can meet consumers where they cook and better position frozen and refrigerated foods for success in the modern kitchen. For more information, visit NFRAweb.org or check out air fryer-friendly recipes on our consumer-facing website, EasyHomeMeals.com.

Air Fryers Are Everywhere—Here's What That Means for Frozen & Refrigerated

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/24/17/307d2791-28a2-4cd1-a834-abcd53afb4a4_nfra017.mp3

In this episode of Chill &amp; Chat, Eric Scarcella, NFRA Communications Manager, is joined by Rachel Kyllo, Dairy Farmers of America, Kimberly Dale, Giant Eagle, and registered dietitian Annette Maggi for a dynamic discussion on how the dairy aisle is evolving to meet today’s shopper needs.Together, they explore how dairy continues to deliver trusted staples while embracing innovation—from protein-forward products to globally inspired offerings—reflecting changing priorities around nutrition, value, and versatility.Tune in to hear how retailers and brands can better connect traditional favorites with new solutions to create a more engaging and indispensable shopping experience. For more information on June Dairy Month and the refrigerated aisle, visit NFRAweb.org or our consumer-facing brand, EasyHomeMeals.com.

How the Dairy Aisle is Evolving – And Why It Matters

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/18/22/7d8cbf11-cdae-4a19-b93f-0125711b8fd2_nfra016_v2.mp3

In this episode of Chill &amp; Chat, Eric Scarcella, NFRA Communications Manager, welcomes Annette Maggi, President of Annette Maggi and Associates, Molly Hembree, Dietitian Supervisor, Kroger, and Tina McGeough, Retail Dietitian, Stop and Shop, for an insightful conversation on the evolving role of the Retail Registered Dietitian and their growing influence across today’s grocery retail environment — timed in recognition of National Nutrition Month.This discussion explores how the RD profession has expanded beyond its traditional clinical roots to play a meaningful role within the retail environment. Today’s Retail RDs help connect nutrition guidance with real-world shopping decisions through in-store programs, shopper education, and collaboration with brands and retailers.Tune in to learn how Retail RDs deliver year-round value by supporting healthier shopping and navigating the grocery store. For more education resources and retail dietitian-approved recipes, visit <a href="http://NFRAweb.org" rel="nofollow">NFRAweb.org</a> or our consumer-facing brand, <a href="http://EasyHomeMeals.com" rel="nofollow">EasyHomeMeals.com</a>.

Aisle Insights: Retail Registered Dietitians and the Future of Health

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/1/26/16/a620d8cd-cdbf-440e-9570-8b23f5838ad9_nfra014__1_.mp3

In this episode of Chill &amp; Chat, Tricia Greyshock, President &amp; CEO, NFRA, is joined by Eva Goulbourne, Founder &amp; CEO, Littlefoot Ventures, and Marty Steinmetz, Chief Commercial Officer, RealCold, for a conversation on how waste reduction is transforming operations, retailer expectations, cold chain performance, and category growth.The episode explores the findings and implications of NFRA’s Food Loss &amp; Waste Insights Report, diving into why food waste has become a defining issue for the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. Our guests highlight the built-in waste prevention advantages in the refrigerated and frozen food industry such as extended shelf life, lower shrink, and stronger forecasting value while detailing how NFRA is helping members meet rising regulatory, consumer, and retailer demands.Listen to this episode for actionable insights on how to integrate food waste reduction across every step of the cold chain. For more information on NFRA’s Food Waste Insights Report, members can access the exclusive research here:<a href="https://nfraweb.junolive.com/main/food_waste_insights." rel="nofollow">https://nfraweb.junolive.com/main/food_waste_insights.</a>

From Shrink to Strategy: Inside NFRA’s Food Waste Insights Report

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/10/12/b8f71afa-f5dd-4229-9520-91de86db7baa_nfra014.mp3

In this episode of Chill &amp; Chat, Mark Tarzwell, Adjunct Instructor, Saint Joseph’s University, sits down with Food Marketing students Nate Muraski, Nicolette Miranda, and Christian Palermo to share their perspectives as emerging leaders in the food industry.Recorded following their experience at the NFRA Convention, the conversation highlights what stood out to them on-site, from category trends to the evolving roles of brands, retailers, and the cold chain. They’ll discuss how today’s classroom learning, early career interests, and exposure to real-world industry dialogue are shaping how they think about the future of food marketing.The episode offers a compelling look at how the next generation views innovation, consumer expectations, and the opportunities ahead for frozen and refrigerated foods, and how NFRA&#39;s industry ecosystem helps prepare young talent to enter the field.

The Next Generation: Student Voices Shaping the Future of Food

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/3/11/a001e470-2f39-48ba-b65f-a37127b7886c_nfra012.mp3

In this episode of Chill &amp; Chat, Matt Point, Senior Vice President of Strategy &amp; Operations, NFRA, is joined by members of the NFRA Executive Committee: Tracy Aquila, Vice President of Business Development, CROSSMARK, Neil Ritchey, Vice President of Sales, InnovAsian, and Matt O’Hare, President &amp; CEO, JOH.Take a listen from these leaders as they discuss how NFRA connects every corner of the industry — from manufacturers and retailers to logistics providers and suppliers — and how membership goes far beyond dues to deliver real value, visibility, and impact. Participants also dive into how PR, promotions, and Easy Home Meals amplify consumer demand, the importance of active member engagement, and the strategic priorities shaping NFRA’s future.Listen now and learn how to elevate your business and maximize your company’s presence in the frozen and refrigerated foods industry by leveraging NFRA membership and resources. For more information on joining the NFRA community, visit us at <a href="https://nfraweb.org/membership/" rel="nofollow">https://nfraweb.org/membership/.</a>

Inside NFRA: Membership, Momentum & the Road Ahead

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/18/21/986c0c8e-35e9-42b3-8a86-ad6e184e9356_nfra011.mp3

In this episode of Chill &amp; Chat, Kate Landis, Senior Director of Marketing, NFRA, and Kelley Rodriguez, Editor-in-Chief, Refrigerated &amp; Frozen Foods, sit down with Joe Nicchi, founder of CVT Soft Serve and the grand prize winner of NFRA’s 2025 Penguin Pitch Contest.During the conversation, Nicchi shares his unique journey going from serving high-quality soft serve in ice cream trucks in Los Angeles to successfully launching a game-changing single-serve soft serve pouch that’s now available at live event venues and major retailers nationwide. Nicchi also provides background on the development process, explaining how he maintained the signature creamy texture and flavor in the new product, and highlights how impactful the Penguin Pitch experience was in connecting CVT Soft Serve to key professionals in the frozen food industry.Whether you’re interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, or what it takes to bring a new frozen product to market, this conversation offers a sweet look behind the scenes.For more information on pitching your new product in NFRA’s Penguin Pitch Emerging Brand Contest, visit us at<a href="https://nfraweb.org/awards-and-recognition/penguin-pitch-awards/" rel="nofollow">https://nfraweb.org/awards-and-recognition/penguin-pitch-awards/.</a>

Soft Serve, Big Stakes: Inside CVT’s Penguin Pitch Win

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/29/18/4bf8ea91-1a79-402b-8cd4-dbcf58a5a779_nfra010.mp3

In this special episode of Chill &amp; Chat with NFRA, President &amp; CEO Tricia Greyshock sits down with three participants from NFRA’s inaugural First Penguin Next Generation Leadership Program — Natalie Larson(United States Cold Storage, Inc.), Kim Larsson (Painterland Sisters), and Daniel Menkens (RecorGroup, LLC).Together, they share candid insights on stepping into leadership roles early in their careers, navigating challenges, and finding purpose in the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. Hear how the First Penguins program has shaped their professional growth, what inspires them about this community, and the opportunities they see ahead as they help drive the future of our categories.Whether you’re an emerging professional or an industry veteran, this conversation offers a refreshing look at how the next generation is innovating, leading, and making their mark.

Chilling with the Next Generation: A Look Inside NFRA’s First Penguin Program

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/21/18/ad496c15-1a20-4aae-b670-dc5a1b8003c7_nfra009.mp3

In this episode, we’ll explore why ice cream continues to hold such a powerful emotional connection for consumers, how evolving formats and flavors are meeting today’s snacking and portioning habits, and where premium and value positioning fit in an increasingly competitive aisle. We’ll also examine the resilience of ice cream as an indulgent category in changing economic conditions — and look ahead to the trends and innovations that could shape its future.

Beyond the Scoop: Ice Cream, Indulgence & What Consumers Crave

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/5/16/19/30542070-4441-4aa8-8e48-3c1b935ebdfe_nfra008.mp3

Discover how retail dietitians are driving nutrition, health, and ROI from an informative panel of registered dietitians: Annette Maggi of Annette Maggi &amp; Associates, Inc.; Laura Brown, Kroger Health; Stacy Bates, H-E-B; and Yvette Waters, The Raley’s Companies. Learn how their evolving roles boost shopper engagement, influence policy, and support brand partnerships while driving impact across the retail landscape.

Nutrition Leadership in Retail: Unlocking ROI Through Wellness and Trust

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/3/27/15/ff8a7c6b-cb7f-4466-b3b2-2ba558ff5eb0_nfra007.mp3

Sam Zien, widely recognized as &#34;Sam The Cooking Guy;&#34; Erin Anderson, Danone North America; Tim Heil and Phyllis Rothschild, Pete and Gerry&#39;s Organic Eggs, engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the dynamic world of food content. They explore its rapid evolution, the consumer journey across social media and in-store experiences, and how brands are leveraging creators to stand out, as shopping behaviors and trends continue to shift.

Content That Converts: How Brands and Creators Are Reshaping Food Marketing

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/3/6/13/14299775-33ec-4016-aad3-4a497184904f_nfra006.mp3

Emily Metz, American Egg Board (AEB) President &amp; CEO, and Tricia Greyshock, NFRA President &amp; CEO, discuss the current egg landscape, the impact of the evolving Avian flu, and what the recovery outlook entails. The AEB supports America&#39;s egg farmers in its mission to increase demand for U.S. eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion.NFRA Members &amp; Retailers: For customized resources on communicating important information to shoppers regarding the current state of the egg industry (pricing, demand, bird flu, etc.), please visit <a href="https://www.incredibleegg.org/valueofeggs/" rel="nofollow">https://www.incredibleegg.org/valueofeggs/</a> or reach out to <a href="mailto:customer@aeb.org" rel="nofollow">customer@aeb.org</a>.

Eggs: An Update on Consumer Demand & Retailer Strategies

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/2/2/21/d34a4e6f-ebe2-4afb-8cff-37c229a4ddc1_nfra005.mp3

Jason Smith, Managing Director USA, Shopper Intelligence, and Tricia Greyshock, President &amp; CEO, NFRA, take a deep dive into shopper satisfaction, attitudes, and behaviors that are shaping trends for the frozen and refrigerated dairy categories.

Using Shopper Insights & Data to Stay Ahead in the Frozen & Dairy Aisles

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/1/3/0/511c2b37-f02a-427c-b5b4-4334ff30f9f4_nfra004_v2.mp3

Frozen &amp; Refrigerated Buyer’s Denise Leathers and George Anderson chat with a couple manufacturers on their experiences with harnessing innovation and navigating consumer expectations. John Reaves, CEO of Milton’s Craft Bakers and Louis McEneny, President of Texas Tamale share challenges they’ve faced as well as insights gained while creating and promoting their products in the frozen aisles.

Building Innovation: Facing Barriers & Fulfilling Consumer Demands

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/12/3/22/ad0d7709-be11-4efe-a3e0-5d92bb4fe538_nfra003.mp3

Frozen and refrigerated industry veterans Mark Tarzwell, COO of Ateeco Inc./Mrs. T’s Pierogies and Kevin Shields, Director of Sales Eastern US, H.P. Hood, chat with Food Trade News’ Maria Maggio. Hear about their career journeys as well as their experiences with evolution in these categories, from packaging to product lines and the challenges and considerations along the way.

From Pierogies to Plant-Based Milk: Evolution in the Frozen & Refrigerated Categories

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/11/14/22/1d4be18e-04a5-4325-a592-e3c8de397a05_nfra002.mp3

Join Chill &amp; Chat for a deeper look into a recent research study that identifies the opportunity to meet the needs of a key consumer cohort – families with children ages 4-12. Targeting this demographic by focusing on nutrient density, veggie-forward offerings, and easy protein solutions in the frozen and refrigerated aisles can generate sales and improved shopper satisfaction. Ken Harris, Managing Partner, Cadent Consulting Group moderates a group discussion on innovation and findings with Kristen Thompson, Business Unit President for Green Giant, B&amp;G Foods and Steve Polonowski, Chief Customer Officer, Dr. Praeger’s.

An Undiscovered Value Opportunity for Frozen & Refrigerated Foods?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/10/25/19/5710d6ea-9b74-4422-8630-80286dcf1548_nfra001.mp3

NFRA President &amp; CEO, Tricia Greyshock; Refrigerated &amp; Frozen Foods Editor in Chief, Kelley Rodriguez; and Penguin Pitch Emerging Brand contest winner Big Mozz&#39;s Marlon Weinberg talk frozen innovation at the 2024 NFRA Convention.Visit https://nfraweb.org/

From the Penguin Pitch to Product Tasting: Exploring NFRA’s Innovation-Driven Convention

Welcome to *Chill & Chat with NFRA* – the podcast where we keep things cool as we dive into the world of frozen and refrigerated foods! Hosted by NFRA, the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association, this show is your backstage pass to the industry that brings your favorite frozen meals, snacks, and dairy aisle products to life.