New initiative highlights industry effort to strengthen understanding of frozen food’s quality, nutrition and value
San Diego — The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) concluded AFFI-CON 2026 with record attendance, welcoming more than 1,800 frozen food industry professionals from across the supply chain. The event recognized industry leadership and the debut of AFFI’s new consumer campaign, “Fresh Thinking About Frozen.”
“This year’s record participation reflects the momentum and resilience of the frozen food industry,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor. “AFFI-CON continues to be where leaders come together to exchange ideas, address shared challenges and shape the future of frozen.”
Fresh Thinking About Frozen
At AFFI-CON, the association unveiled “Fresh Thinking About Frozen,” a digital-forward communications initiative designed to increase consumer appreciation of frozen food’s quality, nutrition and role in reducing food waste.
“This campaign is about sharing the positive story of frozen food,” added Bodor. “Frozen foods deliver whole-food nutrition and real meal solutions for modern consumers.”
Industry stakeholders can access campaign resources at www.FrozenAdvantage.org and follow AFFI’s new Instagram account for content and messaging tools.
AFFI Members Elect New Board Leadership
During AFFI’s Annual Membership Meeting, members elected new officers, Executive Committee members, and directors to the AFFI Board.
The 2026 AFFI Board officers are:
- Chair: Debbie Radie, Chief Quality Stewardship Officer, Boardman Foods
- Chair-Elect: Jeff Preston, Managing Director, Americas, ArdoVLM
- Immediate Past Chair: Suvan Sharma, President, Jain Farm Fresh Foods
The Executive Committee, serving alongside the officers, includes:
- Tracey Beck, Vice President, Chief Counsel – Marketing & Government Affairs, Conagra Brands
- Rick Holdren, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Logistics Chief Operating Officer, Pictsweet Company
- Kelley Martin, Vice President Sales, North America—Foodservice, Nortera
- Rebecca Scheidler, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Consumer Foods, The J.M. Smucker Co.
Newly elected Board of Directors members serving three-year terms include:
- Rick Anderson, CEO, Harvest Food Group
- Marco Cruz, Managing Director, Superior Foods International, A Viru Group Company
- Dale Goyer, CEO, Twin City Foods
- Eugene Imm, Head of Strategic Branding and Marketing, Ajinomoto Foods North America
- Kelley Martin, Vice President Sales, North America—Foodservice, Nortera
- Suvan Sharma, President, Jain Farm Fresh Foods
- John Tentomas, CEO, Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods
- Keith Tiegs, CEO, Oregon Potato Company
Celebrating Industry Excellence
AFFI-CON 2026 also honored leaders whose work continues to shape the frozen food industry.
Asun Romero, Executive Director of Global Supply at Superior Foods International, received the AFFI Woman of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to the frozen food industry. At the award presentation held in partnership with Frozen & Refrigerated Buyer, Romero was honored for her decades-long impact on the global frozen food supply chain, her professionalism and integrity, and her role as a mentor to the next generation of industry leaders.
AFFI also welcomed three new inductees into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals and families whose dedication and leadership strengthened not only their companies, but the frozen food industry as a whole. The 2026 inductees represent decades of service and a shared commitment to advancing frozen foods as an essential part of the global food system:
- Paul DiGenova, General Manager of Commodities, Nortera
- Richard Marks, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Arbre Group Holding Corporation
- Frank Tiegs (posthumous), Founder, Oregon Potato Company
About AFFI
The American Frozen Food Institute is the member-driven national trade association representing all segments of the frozen food supply chain, from manufacturers and processors to suppliers and distributors. AFFI advocates on behalf of the frozen food industry before legislative and regulatory bodies, serves as the industry’s voice, and convenes leadership to advance frozen foods as an essential part of a dynamic marketplace. Learn more at www.affi.org.
