Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Former President Ronald Reagan had a thing for frozen food. According to a 2012 report from NPR, he was the first to memorialize all that is good about frozen food with his proclamation that March 6, 1984 would be Frozen Food Day.
Of course the frozen food industry was all about that, and now the one-day observance has morphed into an entire month dedicated to frozen foods of every kind.
For shoppers on a budget, now is the perfect time to stock up on inexpensive foods that can stretch your grocery budget for months. Even if you prefer fresh foods, Frozen Food Month can be a good time to buy out-of-season frozen fruits and veggies as well as frozen meals that can be used in a pinch on those busy nights when you don't have time to cook from scratch.
Coupons, promotions and more
Not surprisingly, the National Frozen & Refrigerated Food Association is one of the driving forces behind Frozen Food Month activities.
Last week, you may have noticed a two page spread devoted to frozen foods in your paper's coupon inserts. That was coordinated by the NFRFA but you'll find many retailers have these featured products on sale as well. Use the coupon in conjunction with the sale for double savings!
In addition to issuing coupons, the NFRFA has overhauled its consumer website ““ found at EasyHomeMeals.com ““ to reflect the month. You can visit to read fun facts about frozen foods, learn nutritional information or find recipes. While there, don't forget to enter their $10,000 sweepstakes.
Keep frozen food tasty
Whether you're buying processed frozen foods or freezing fresh foods yourself, you'll want to use them in the right amount of time to ensure they are still delicious at dinnertime.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says food kept at a temperature below 0 degrees Fahrenheit will stay safe indefinitely, but for the best quality, you may want to use items within the following time frames.
- Hot dogs and lunch meat: 1-2 months
- Bacon and sausage: 1-2 months
- Ground meat such as hamburger: 3-4 months
- Beef, pork and other meat steaks: 6-12 months
- Beef, pork and other meat chops and roasts: 4-12 months
- Whole chickens or turkeys: 1 year
- Poultry pieces: 9 months
If left unopened, many processed foods such as microwave meals will maintain their quality for up to a year although the exact time may depend on how they are packaged and what ingredients are in the meal.
When taking items out of the freezer, be sure to thaw them safely. That means no leaving meat on the counter overnight. Instead, defrost items in the fridge or in a cold water bath. If you are pressed for time, you can use the microwave too so long as you'll be cooking the food right after thawing it.
Frozen Food Month only comes once a year. Make the most of it by filling your freezer with the deeply discounted foods available right now.
If you'd like to learn more about maximizing your freezer's savings, I have a FREE eCourse lesson that will teach you how to save $40-$80 a month with your freezer.
