In an address to 800 business leaders at the federation’s celebratory 75th Annual Luncheon at London’s Hilton Park Lane, he said: “The combined effects of the pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis have led to a new-found enthusiasm for frozen foods.
He cited research conducted by the federation which reveals that two in five consumers - nearly 40% - say that they are now buying more frozen food than they did just a year ago.
“Increased numbers of consumers and foodservice operators have found what we have always known - that frozen food provides consumers with the best value nutritional food with the longest shelf life, allowing the consumer to only cook what they want, when they want it.
“And for the caterer, frozen provides exceptional quality, and nutritious ingredients that increase yields and provide utmost flexibility.”
His speech marked the official 75th anniversary celebration of the foundation of the federation on June 11th 1948, at 352, The Strand, London for the inaugural meeting of what is now the British Frozen Food Federation.
Quoting from the archives, Stone said that the first AGM, attended by only 11 people, reported that: ‘Frozen food growth is rapid. Annual sales of frozen fruits are more than 2,000 tonnes, frozen vegetables more than 4,000 tonnes and frozen fish from Grimsby a whopping 5,000 tonnes.’
“As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary, those 11 people who met in 1948 would be astonished that sales of frozen foods would grow to a staggering 2bn tonnes per annum; consumed across multiple categories both in and out of home,” he said.