Chill & Chat with NFRA

In this episode of Chill & Chat, recorded at the 2026 NFRA Convention, Tricia Greyshock, President & CEO, NFRA, explores the impact of NFRA's First Penguin Next Generation Leadership Program from three unique perspectives: participant, alumnus, and mentor.Featured guests:Alyssa Panzarella, Director of Marketing, Mrs. T's Pierogies and member of the inaugural First Penguin Class of 2025Michael Coleman, National Sales Manager, Jones Dairy Farm and member of the First Penguin Class of 2026Scott Evans, Vice President, Center Store & Merchandising, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), NFRA Executive Committee member and First Penguin mentorTogether, they discuss how the program challenges emerging leaders to step outside their comfort zones, broaden their understanding of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry, and build meaningful relationships across companies and disciplines. From leadership development and mentorship to career growth and industry collaboration, the conversation highlights how First Penguin is helping participants develop the skills and connections needed to lead the industry into the futureInterested in becoming part of the next First Penguin class or nominating a rising star from your organization? Learn more about the First Penguin Next Generation Leadership Program and its mission to develop the industry's future leaders at NFRAweb.org.

In this episode of Chill & 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'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.

In this episode of Chill & 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.

In this episode of Chill & 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 NFRAweb.org or our consumer-facing brand, EasyHomeMeals.com.

In this episode of Chill & Chat, Tricia Greyshock, President & CEO, NFRA, is joined by Eva Goulbourne, Founder & 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 & 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:https://nfraweb.junolive.com/main/food_waste_insights.

In this episode of Chill & 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's industry ecosystem helps prepare young talent to enter the field.

In this episode of Chill & Chat, Matt Point, Senior Vice President of Strategy & 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 & 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 https://nfraweb.org/membership/.

In this episode of Chill & Chat, Kate Landis, Senior Director of Marketing, NFRA, and Kelley Rodriguez, Editor-in-Chief, Refrigerated & 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 athttps://nfraweb.org/awards-and-recognition/penguin-pitch-awards/.

In this special episode of Chill & Chat with NFRA, President & 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.

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.