In the Frozen Aisle

Conagra's new report reveals that millennials and Gen Zers are having a major impact on the frozen food industry.

Conagra’s new report reveals that millennials and Gen Zers are having a major impact on the frozen food industry.

 

OU Kosher certifies an extensive repertoire of popular frozen food products. The frozen food market has been in the news lately, with Conagra releasing its second annual Future of Frozen Food 2025 report. Notable findings included a desire among millennials and Gen Zers for high-quality, restaurant-style at-home meals, a general craving for global and spicy-inspired flavors, and a strong emphasis on convenience. Three select OU kosher-certified frozen product lines from companies started by Jews profoundly capture one aspect from each of these categories. Amnon’s Pizza delivers an at-home dining experience, Dr. Prager’s has successfully wooed consumers to its spicy veggie burger, and Haagen-Dazs delivers convenience.

Key Takeaways From the Conagra Report

Conagra found that the current frozen food market, with a $91.3 billion market value, is largely driven by millennials (25-40 years old) and Gen Zers (18-24 years old). This is a sizable part of the population, as there are about 80 million millennials and 90 million Gen Zers.

Bob Nolan, senior vice president of demand science at Conagra Brands, referenced this point when he said, “New insights point to evolving generational habits and preferences. As Millennials and Gen Z enter family formation years convenience and affordability become the priority, driving a 54% increase in spending on frozen foods during this period.”

One primary area where the millennial and Gen Z preferences are being seen is in the area of at-home dining. They are seeking superior restaurant experiences in the comfort of their own homes. Since COVID-19, eating habits have changed, and due to the economy, budgetary constraints are at the top of people’s minds.

Regarding this, Megan Bullock, director of predictive science and strategic insights at Conagra, said, “The prices of foodservice are quite a bit higher than making a meal at home, and that inflation continues to outpace that of in-home inflation, but folks who are eating at home still want that restaurant experience, higher quality foods, more enjoyable gatherings.” This explains the findings in the report, which state that there have been 25.6 billion at-home meals since pre-pandemic times.

A desire for global and spicy flavors is also influencing the frozen food market. Regarding this, Conagra said, “…global cuisine continues to grow in popularity,” and the “popularity of spicy frozen foods is heating up, leading to over $2bn in sales. Gen Z consumers, in particular, are 48 percent more likely to purchase spicy offerings.”

Convenience has also become a major factor in the frozen food market. Though restaurant-like meals are being sought after, people are also turning smaller portions into meals. The report found, “There is a booming demand for bite-sized and mini frozen products, with sales reaching $2.4 billion and a 31% year-over-year increase in consumption.” About this, Nolan said, “It’s almost like having your favorite appetizers from a party as your center plate.”

Amnon’s Pizza 

Amnon's pizza has a strong foothold in the North American frozen food pizza market.

Amnon’s pizza has a strong foothold in the North American frozen food pizza market.

Though you could visit the well-known Amnon’s Pizza brick-and-mortar store in Borough Park, you could also buy their frozen pizza in the grocery aisle. Its red box cover is hard to miss. They offer regular, low-fat, and whole wheat.

In a Supermarket News article discussing the competitive nature of the frozen pizza market, Sol Levy, the owner of Amnon’s, explained that most people prefer their plain pizza, but they also offer a reduced-fat option.

Based on Conagra’s report that underscores the millennial and Gen Z appetite for exceptional frozen food to enjoy at home, Amnon’s pizza is a solid choice. Considering the price, the heightened eating experience, and its ability to serve as a whole meal, it fulfills the complete homebound experience.

Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Burgers 

Dr. Praeger’s veggie burgers have the kind of tastes that frozen food shoppers are seeking.

Dr. Praeger’s veggie burgers have the kind of tastes that frozen food shoppers are seeking.

As reported in the New Jersey Monthly, Dr. Praeger’s first venture into the food scene involved the unexpected ownership of a gefilte fish company. Based on the request of a rabbi, he performed a surgery on someone and ended up receiving a gefilte fish business in return.

However, that wasn’t his ultimate passion, as he later decided to introduce healthy and well-flavored veggie burgers to the market. His famous one that has been popular for twenty years is the California Veggie Burger.

Based on Conagra’s report that highlighted spicy foods as one of the drivers of the frozen food market, the California Veggie Burger fits that criterion. It is well-spiced with ingredients like garlic and red bell peppers, which bring the fresh aroma of the spices to the forefront.

Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream 

Reuben Mattus, a Jewish immigrant from Poland, was the founder of the well-known Haagen-Dazs brand. Though a dairy expert, when he wanted to create a company, the competition was fierce. Because of this, he adopted a mindset focused on quality. As documented in Jewish Unpacked, he told People Magazine, “I thought maybe if I made the very best ice cream, people would be willing to pay for it.”

From there, an empire was built that now offers over 50 flavors.

Based on Conagra’s report that identified convenience as one of the factors behind frozen food growth, Haagen-Dazs fits the bill. Their ice cream can be enjoyed in small bites yet still be filling.

Conclusion

Conagra has shed light on the Frozen Food market. In-house dining, global and spicy flavors, and convenience are all on the minds of consumers. Three product lines from OU kosher-certified companies accentuate an aspect of each: Amnon’s Pizza, Dr. Praeger’s veggie burgers, and Haagen-Dazs ice cream.

Steven Genack
Steven Genack has worked at OU Kosher for more than 10 years with a focus on ingredients. He is an attorney and former editor of a newspaper. He has a wide array of interests including playing tennis, golf and basketball and reading biographies and memoirs.