October 15, 2017

“Our industry supports responsible regulation. But at the same time, we must continuously apprise regulators the full role that we play in the economy. The industry today faces serious challenges in the areas of food safety, transportation and educational funding. A cooperative relationship with government has never been more important”

Most of us who make our living in the cold chain recognize the important role we play in society at large. Thanks to advances in food preparation, warehousing and delivery, more and better food is accessible to more people than ever before.

Sometimes we have a tendency to assume that the millions of people who depend on us also realize the importance of the work we do. After all, common sense would dictate this.

But does the public really understand just how important our role is? Do public officials who write the rules we must follow understand all of the things we do?

The study is important because it supports efforts to promote and improve our industry, especially in the area of government relations. The food and beverage industry is one of the country’s most strictly regulated industries. Government at all levels scrutinize the production, storage and transportation of perishable products.

“Frozen food and beverage makers and distributors in their quest to offer consumers convenient and nutritious products also make a vital contribution to communities large and small in nearly every corner of the country. Understanding the positive role served by frozen food and beverage makers aids our efforts to advocate for sensible policies that drive economic growth and ensure the rightful place of frozen food as part of a nutritious diet.”

Our industry supports responsible regulation. But at the same time, we must continuously apprise regulators the full role that we play in the economy.

The industry today faces serious challenges in the areas of food safety, transportation and educational funding. A cooperative relationship with government has never been more important.

Our industry reaches far and wide

Due to the capital-intensive nature of frozen food production, firms in our industry buy many goods and services from other sectors of the economy. Growers provide the fruit, vegetables and other fresh foods. Frozen food companies then use refrigerated transportation, rapid truck, rail, ship, air transport, refrigeration and other machinery to create frozen foods. 

Planning these logistics requires management consulting and supply chain experts. Freezing and preserving these foods requires technologically-advanced equipment, special buildings and electricity to run the refrigeration equipment.

Producers of goods and services must secure labor, raw materials and other services to produce their product. The resources transferred to the owners of that labor or those raw materials and services are then spent to secure additional goods and services or inputs to the products they sell.