This holiday season, families looking to create a memorable feast have an ally in the the frozen food aisle. More Americans are discovering that frozen foods aren’t a backup plan—they’re a smart first choice that delivers nutrition, flavor and value while making every dollar count.
Learn more below about how frozen foods help households maintain treasured holiday traditions and stretch their food dollar farther.
Nutrition That Counts When It Matters Most
With frozen foods, consumers can cut down on prep time in the kitchen, buy ingredients in advance without risk of spoilage, and add cost-effective frozen swaps into their holiday meals. Plus, frozen fruits and vegetables have the same nutrition as their fresh counterparts, and a recent analysis by AFFI found that popular frozen meals and side dishes have comparable nutrition to popular home recipes.
Frozen vegetables and fruits are nutritional powerhouses. Flash-frozen at peak ripeness within hours of harvest, they retain their vitamins and minerals at levels that often exceed fresh produce that’s traveled thousands of miles. When you choose frozen green beans for that beloved casserole or frozen sweet potatoes for your pie, you’re giving your family maximum nutrition—something especially important during the holiday season.
Stretch Your Holiday Budget Further
- Buy in bulk, use as needed: Frozen foods let you purchase larger, cost-effective quantities, and you can use only what you need for each meal
- Mix frozen and fresh strategically: Research shows that most shoppers use fresh and frozen food in their meals, so don’t forget to find delicious, cost-effective pairings that work with your menu
- Zero waste means more value: Every bit of frozen food is usable—no stems to trim, no spoiled portions to discard
Feed More People with Confidence
Frozen foods excel at helping hosts extend their hospitality. Need to set another place at the table? Your frozen vegetables rolls, and desserts are ready to help you welcome everyone generously. With air travel experiencing delays, the ability to store ingredients long-term means you can stock up and be ready for unexpected guests or last-minute change of plans.
Time: Your Most Precious Ingredient
The holidays are about togetherness, not exhaustion. Frozen foods give you back precious hours to spend with loved ones:
- Pre-chopped vegetables eliminate prep time
- Frozen side dishes are ready to go into the oven, no additional work needed
- Ready-to-bake pies and desserts deliver homemade taste
- Frozen dinner rolls rise perfectly every time
- Pre-seasoned options simplify complex recipes
Building Community Through Shared Meals
During times when communities need to come together more than ever, frozen foods enable generosity. They make it easier to:
- Prepare meals for neighbors who might need extra support
- Contribute to community dinners and potlucks
- Share holiday surplus with extended family and friends
- Create meal trains for those facing difficulties
The long shelf life of frozen foods means you can shop sales throughout the season, building up supplies to share with others or enjoy throughout the winter months.
Simple Swaps, Big Impact
Transform your Thanksgiving prep with these frozen alternatives:
- Frozen turkey to preserve peak freshness
- Frozen butternut squash for soup—no peeling required
- Frozen pie crust and dinner rolls—restaurant-quality results, fraction of the time
- Frozen green beans for casserole—nutritionally identical to fresh, zero waste from trimming
- Frozen macaroni and cheese—easily prepared side dishes
- Frozen cranberries for sauce—more affordable than fresh
- Frozen spinach for dips—pre-washed and ready
- Frozen pearl onions for sides—perfectly uniform, no tears
Frozen foods represent more than convenience—they represent possibility. The possibility to gather around a table filled with nutritious, delicious meals. The possibility that hosts can focus on what matters most: creating memories with loved ones. The possibility that generosity and abundance don’t require unlimited resources.
In a season dedicated to gratitude and gathering, frozen foods ensure that everyone can participate in the celebration.