The Importance of Frozen Food Distribution Worldwide

From a young age, we are taught that it’s important to eat our daily dose of fruits and vegetables. They are a main part of a balanced diet.  These foods contain antioxidants, are rich in vitamins and minerals, and can help to protect us from illness. This includes some forms of diabetes, cancer, strokes, obesity and heart disease.  While we think of fresh ingredients having the upper hand, frozen foods have a major role to play as well.  This brings us to the importance of frozen food distribution worldwide.

Equally As Healthy

One of our main concerns as consumers when it comes to frozen food, is how healthy said foods are.  With organic foods gaining popularity over the past decade, we often hear the claim that ingredients lose their nutritional value once they are frozen.  This is simply untrue!  Due to how they are frozen in their prime ripeness, they actually retain all of their nutritional value.

In 2014, the University of Chester published a report that measured the nutrient levels in refrigerated produce versus frozen produce.  Their findings state, “Losses of nutrients during fresh storage may be more substantial than consumers realise. Dependent on commodity, freezing may actually preserve nutrient value”.  

So much so, that in the majority of cases, the frozen fruits and vegetables packed a higher level of antioxidants.  From polyphenols and lutein to beta-carotene and anthocyanins, the freezing of the produce did not destroy the nutrients.  Plus, we have to keep in mind that even fresh fruits and vegetables (with the exception of those eaten raw) lose a bit of their nutrients while being prepared for consumption.  Therefore, the difference in nutrients between fresh and frozen truly is minimal.

Dietary Preferences and Sustainability

According to Research and Markets, consumers are being more mindful of what they are eating. They are also trying to be more aware of where the ingredients are sourced from.  In turn, the demand for local and organic food production will most likely have a positive influence on the frozen fruit and vegetable market.  

It has become very apparent that consumers are increasingly concerned with issues such as the environment and animal welfare. Along with where and how their food is prepared.  They don’t mind paying a tad more for products that are certified as healthy and sustainable. Even if they have to be imported.  This alone has made a massive impact on the industry, making frozen food distribution worldwide more important than ever.

Food Waste

The level of food waste worldwide, both consumer and retail, is appalling.  Especially, with extreme poverty and minimal access to nutritious food in an overwhelming number of areas.  Food distribution inequality is an important issue that needs to be addressed.  While we may not feel like we have the ability to make a difference, we do. We can start by doing our parts at home.  This includes limiting our own food waste.

According to a study by Cornell, they estimate that 35 percent of all purchases are discarded in landfills. However, it also shows that the rates of retail/consumer frozen food waste are substantially lower than their fresh counterparts. The advantages of frozen food are seen across all of the major food groups. But, it is even more evident for frozen fruit and vegetable products.  

Availability

According to Statistics Canada, there were fewer fresh fruits and vegetables available to Canadians in 2022. (A decline of more than 5% from the previous year).  This is said to be caused by a number of factors. Including price increases, labor shortages and supply chain issues (some of which were affected by COVID-19).  In these situations, it is better to use frozen options than omitting fruits and vegetables from a diet completely.

On top of this, there is a certain allure to fruits and vegetables that are not typically available to consumers in their native regions.  Being able to freeze such produce enables its transportation to other areas where it would otherwise be unavailable.

Convenience

One of the most important advantages of frozen fruits and vegetables is how convenient they are.  With the exception of eating raw fruits and vegetables, many consumers are intimidated by finding ways to prepare them.  

With their frozen counterparts, several different dishes are readily available. Dishes such as stir-fries, soups and chowders, pot pies, quesadillas, smoothies and smoothie bowls… the list seems endless!  All the while, many of these ingredients are precut before being frozen. This makes the preparation of the aforementioned dishes even easier.  

MB Global Foods 

With over 50+ years of combined food industry experience, MB Global Foods specializes in frozen fruits and frozen vegetables. Both in conventional and organic formats.  Customers no longer need to worry about their supply; we are here no matter what the demand is.  This can range from smaller retail spaces to companies that provide products in bulk.  

Whether our clients need aid with financing, logistics, co-packing opportunities, documentation and/or food safety solutions, our team can help.  Contact MB Global Foods today at 450 510-5111. Or, email us at info@mbglobalfoods.com to learn how we can aid with frozen food distribution.