Survey Reveals How Frozen Food Fits into Everyday Lives at Home and Work
When it comes to frozen, ready-made meals, some of us are keeping secrets! According to a new survey by NestleUSA, 25 percent of Americans confess to having passed off frozen meals as their own culinary creation. Another 14 percent admit to having "accidentally" taken a co-worker's frozen meal in the workplace.
These and other findings were released in a national poll by NestleUSA (commissioned with Impulse Research), which explored how today's consumers perceive and use frozen foods.
Nestle - a dominant force in the frozen aisle with such well-known brands as Lean Cuisine(®), STOUFFER'S(®), HOT POCKETS(®), LEAN POCKETS(®,) DIGIORNO(®) and HAAGEN-DAZS® --uncovered some unexpected insights, including the fact that frozen meals serve as an inspiration for many aspiring cooks. More than a third of respondents said they've tried to create their own version of a favorite frozen meal.
"This sneak peek into America's freezers shows how ready-made meals have become must-have menu items," said Christine Dahm, vice president of Marketing and Innovation, Nestle Prepared Foods Company. "With today's hectic schedules, people appreciate not only how frozen meals fit with their lifestyles, but also the better quality, variety and convenience that is available to them. It's fun to discover how they're using frozen every day," she said.
According to Mintel, net household usage of frozen or refrigerated meals is nearly universal (94%) among U.S. households. (Mintel, Frozen Meals - U.S., May 2012.) And a recent Harris Survey conducted by Nestle showed of all meals consumed, more than 80% are prepared at home and nearly 2 in 10 of those consist of frozen meals, an average of 4 meals per week.
Fresh Look at Frozen Foods Survey Results:
Frozen Foods at Mealtime
-- One in four (25%) of those surveyed said they've passed off frozen food
as their own. Among this group, the trend is even higher among younger
home cooks: 69% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 38% of 25- to 34-year-olds
admit to taking credit for a frozen meal.
-- 72% said serving frozen food with a freshly made side dish or presenting
it on a nice plate (65%) helps make it more believable as homemade.
-- 64% said their meals often consist only of frozen food.
-- 27% said they mix frozen foods with fresh ingredients most of the time.
-- 31% said they've tried to create their own version of a favorite frozen
meal.
-- Of those who use frozen foods to customize their family meals, 70% said
they do it to accommodate personal taste preferences in their family.
Frozen Meals in the Workplace
-- 23% said they prepare frozen meals at work.
-- Of these respondents, 51% said they turn to frozen as a convenient lunch
option and 35% said frozen is a good option for a hot meal.
-- 14% admitted to having "accidentally" stolen a frozen meal from the
freezer at work. That number jumps to 27% among 18 to 24-year olds.
Inside America's Freezers
-- While 72% called their freezer neat and tidy and well-organized for easy
access, 44% said they often find a U.F.O., or Unidentifiable Frozen
Object, in their freezers.
-- Survey participants report unusual items are stored in America's
freezers, including fish bait, glow sticks, bras, cigarettes, candles,
batteries, money as well as credit cards, paintbrushes and even small
family pets frozen until proper burial arrangements can be made.
-- The most popular items in freezers? Frozen meat or seafood, frozen
vegetables or fruits, ice cream and ready-made meals.
More Benefits of Ready-Made Meals:
Today's families can choose from a wide range of frozen ready-made meals that deliver great taste, solid nutrition, and cherished convenience. It's easy to find portion- and calorie-controlled varieties that contain vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains especially when compared to restaurant offerings.
Additionally, ready-made frozen meals can easily be complemented by fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy balanced diet.
Not sure if you're getting the most out of frozen foods? Try these tips from Nestle Prepared Foods Company:
-- Mix frozen with fresh. For a variety of meal ideas, mix frozen with
ingredients from your refrigerator. Respondents to the Harris Survey
said that about one-third of their frozen meals are supplemented with
fresh items. One way is to start with a main and add a vegetable as a
side - or maybe multiple sides if you're serving a whole family. Visit
the Meal Maker tool at Stouffers.com, or pair one of Lean Cuisine's new
Salad Additions with your own lettuce to create a delicious salad.
-- Freeze for flavor. Fresh produce in ready-made meals is often frozen
rapidly, which helps to lock in flavor, color and texture. You can do
the same at home with in-season produce, like blueberries for instance.
Space them out on a tray (to avoid clumping), freeze them until they are
firm and then store them in space-saving sealed bags or stacking
containers. Freezing is a natural way to preserve food so it's ready
when you need it and is also a great way to minimize food waste.
-- Minimize your prep work. Frozen produce is already chopped and cleaned.
It minimizes prep work so you can focus on creating a nutritious and
delicious meal. Try using frozen produce as a short-cut in recipes for
stir fries, casseroles, smoothies, and fruit desserts and use ready-made
meals as a kick-off to your own creation.
-- Keep your portions in check. Individual frozen meals are portioned and
calorie-controlled, so there's no guesswork about their nutritional
value. Along with portion size, you'll find Nutrition Facts on each
package, making frozen meals an important and convenient component in
any weight management plan.
