Chill & Chat with NFRA

Aisle Insights: Retail Registered Dietitians and the Future of Health

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 [http://NFRAweb.org] or our consumer-facing brand, EasyHomeMeals.com [http://EasyHomeMeals.com].

From Shrink to Strategy: Inside NFRA’s Food Waste Insights Report

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. [https://nfraweb.junolive.com/main/food_waste_insights.]

The Next Generation: Student Voices Shaping the Future of Food

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.

Inside NFRA: Membership, Momentum & the Road Ahead

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/. [https://nfraweb.org/membership/]

Soft Serve, Big Stakes: Inside CVT’s Penguin Pitch Win

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 at https://nfraweb.org/awards-and-recognition/penguin-pitch-awards/. [https://nfraweb.org/awards-and-recognition/penguin-pitch-awards/]