As the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) begins celebrating its 75th year, chief executive Rupert Ashby says he expects the category to perform well in the year ahead.

Celebrations to mark three quarters of a century of BFFF representation of the frozen food industry will take place throughout 2023.

Ashby said: “This anniversary year will be a celebration of all things frozen. 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.”

Between 1948 and 1973, the Federation was known as the National Association of Wholesale Distributors of Frozen Foods (NAWDOFF). In 1973, the Federation expanded to represent the entire frozen food value chain and was re-named as the British Frozen Food Federation.

The inaugural meeting of the Federation took place on 11th June 1948 and the first AGM was held on 19th October 1948. The first full members paid a membership subscription of £10.10 per annum.

Since 1948, when freezing food was a solution to preserve seasonal or spasmodic produce such as peas and fish, the industry has undergone immense change. With the unparalleled range and quality of frozen food available in supermarkets today, frozen food has become a staple of the weekly shop.

Mr Ashby added: “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.

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.”

With ethical consumerism in the UK now worth £122 billion, 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. 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.”

Now, with 241 members, the BFFF is a leading trade association for the frozen food sector, giving a strong voice to the industry in Parliament, to consumer and foodservice markets.