New foodservice campaign launched at IFE09 (the international food and drink event), 15-18 March, Excel London

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) is launching a new foodservice campaign at IFE09 which aims to educate the foodservice sector on how they can profit from using frozen food in the face of a UK recession.

To run over two years, the Profiting from Frozen Food campaign will focus on how buying frozen food will save foodservice organisations money, plus demonstrate that the quality and taste of frozen foods is better than ever.

Brian Young, director general of the BFFF explains: We want to challenge frozen food stereotypes - and bust the myth that fresh is best. Frozen offers quick and convenient access to premium quality, healthy nutritious meals and ingredients and is perfect for busy kitchens. Frozen will help foodservice to drive sales.

In this tough economic climate there is a compelling business case for using frozen food. Buying frozen will save money because of competitive and stable food prices, the ability to control portion sizes and wastage, plus the opportunity to cut kitchen labour costs. This will help businesses reduce their overheads, produce more accurate pricing models and protect their profits.

A number of activities are planned as part of the Profiting from Frozen Food campaign. Starting with the launch at IFE, they will include cost comparison and food quality research, a frozen food report, food tastings, cookery demonstrations, direct mailings, plus speaker slots at conferences and seminars.

Brian Young added: There is a perception that frozen food is in some way inferior to fresh. But when you look at the facts its clear that frozen has all the benefits of fresh and more. It offers variety and versatility, year-round availability, consistent quality, increased storage and shelf life, traceability to source and product integrity. The taste and nutritional credentials of frozen food are also better than ever. Being a natural process, theres no need for preservatives found in chilled, ambient or fresh - so frozen is often closer to our perception of natural food. In addition, freezing locks in nutrients and vitamins at the point where food is harvested for maximum nutrition and freshness.

Profiting from Frozen Food is backed by leading frozen food manufacturers and wholesalers. Supporting members currently include The Authentic Food Company Ltd., Brakes Group, British Seafood, Delifrance (UK) Ltd., Grampian Foods (Europe) Ltd., Kent Frozen Foods Ltd., MDC Foods Ltd., Norbert Dentressangle Logistics UK. and 3663.

To date the BFFF has created a series of booklets for the foodservice sector, providing basic and objective information on why frozen foods can be a central part of any caterers menu. The series includes: Potato products, pasta, pizza & rice Appetisers & buffet items, prepared meals & entrées and functions & special occasions Fruit and vegetables, bakery and seafood Meat and poultry and desserts and confectionery

Only last year (December 2008) the BFFF launched its new web-based New Ice Age campaign, which aims to target and educate consumers about frozen food production, the nutritional benefits of frozen food and its cost-saving potential. - ENDS -

About the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) www.bfff.co.uk The BFFF is the leading Trade Association for the frozen food sector. Its mission is to promote and protect the interests of the frozen food industry. Members cover the entire cold chain including large companies to SMEs.

The Federation works to increase its influence with Government and develop alliances with outside agencies affecting the success of frozen foods. It is involved in a wide range of consultations with Government departments, covering a diverse set of issues affecting the frozen food industry. It also campaigns with its members to educate, promote and inform consumers, retailers and the foodservice sector about the value of frozen food.

The BFFF runs a number of projects to address special issues; Elected Committees look both at industry and sector-specific issues, whilst Working Groups of selected specialists tackle areas such as the retail and foodservice supply chain and school meals. The Federation is also managing two grant-funded projects focusing on sustainability: its Seafish Grant is investigating the carbon footprint of the best selling imported species of fish, whilst its Carbon Trust project is working with Enviros to trial temperature of product through the cold chain.

A range of services are offered impartially to each individual BFFF member organisation. Membership benefits include: A range of networking events and meetings; Seminars and workshops pertinent to industry issues and members needs; Technical, legislative and health & safety updates; Early warnings on impending initiatives; A confidential Hotline for legislative, technical and health & safety advice; Assistance with members sourcing issues; The supply of trade enquiry contact details; The publication and distribution of an industry Bulletin; A quarterly Journalists Guide, which reviews the performance of the retail sector; A range of booklets to educate, remind and inform the industry about role of frozen food; UK Retail, UK Foodservice & International statistics; and, An arbitration service for those unable to resolve trade disputes, but who do not wish to undertake legal recourse.

The BFFF also runs an annual new products awards scheme, which recognizes and rewards quality initiatives in new products.

Contributing BFFF Members include companies such as:

3663 Ardo UK Ltd. The Authentic Food Company Ltd. Bord Bia/The Irish Food Board British Seafood Ltd. Cargill Meats Europe Danby's Foods Ltd. Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd./Scot Trout Ltd. Delice De France Plc Delifrance (UK) Ltd. Grampian Foods (Europe) Ltd. Holmes Seafood Ltd. Icefresh Foods Ltd. Indulgence Patisserie Ltd. Jaconelli Ice Cream Kent Frozen Foods Ltd. KK Fine Foods Ltd. Lockwoods Ltd. Lyons Seafoods Ltd. Bernard Matthews Foods Ltd. McEvoy Foods International Ltd. MDC Foods Ltd. Millifoods Ltd. Norbert Dentressangle Logistics UK Paramount 21 Ltd. Reed Boardall Group Royal Greenland Ltd. Sagegreen Consulting Ltd. Scholler Ice Cream Ltd. Sea Products International Ltd. Summit Foods Ltd. Yearsley Group/Belfield Farms   For further information contact: Harriet Rodgers / Emma OBrien Pelican Public Relations Ltd Tel: 01457 820807 E-mail: harriet.rodgers@pelicanpr.co.uk / emma.obrien@pelicanpr.co.uk