Frozen and Dairy Aisles Help Americans Stick to New Year’s Resolutions: Convenience and Savings Lead the Way

NFRA Encourages Families to ReDiscover the Frozen and Dairy Aisles to Kickstart Their New Year’s Resolutions

As Americans set out to achieve their New Year’s resolutions, new research highlights the frozen and dairy aisles as essential destinations for meeting health, budget, and convenience goals. A survey commissioned by the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) reveals that 66% of Americans find pre-portioned ingredients help them reach health goals, while 75% turn to frozen and refrigerated foods to save money, marking a shift in shopping and eating habits.

“Maintaining New Year’s resolutions can be challenging, especially with busy schedules and tight budgets,” said Tricia Greyshock, President & CEO of NFRA. “This survey reveals how frozen and dairy products offer practical, tasty solutions that support healthful eating, save money, and simplify meal prep.”

Smart Solutions for Today’s Families

Parents are increasingly savvy when shopping for their families, with 77% using pre-portioned ingredients to achieve health goals. Key findings show how families are strategically planning:

• 52% reorganize their freezer and refrigerator in January for the year ahead
• 50% swap traditional snacks for healthier yogurt choices
• 75% rely on frozen options to streamline busy mornings
• 78% use bulk buying to manage budgets and reduce waste

Generation-Defining Shifts

Younger generations (Gen Z and millennials) are leading the way in reimagining how they use frozen and dairy aisles:

• 86% of Gen Z and millennials explore global flavors with frozen foods
• 88% prioritize meals that take 45 minutes or less to prepare
• Year-over-year data shows an increase in frozen food purchases among these groups

Health and Budget Goals Converge

The research illustrates how health and budget-consciousness are intertwined:

• 66% of Americans use pre-portioned ingredients to support health goals
• 67% cite bulk buying as crucial for managing budgets and reducing food waste

Top budget-friendly essentials include:

• Milk (52%)
• Cheese (51%)
• Yogurt (48%, with higher adoption among parents at 55%)

Meeting Modern Lifestyles

Consumers are focused on time optimization, seeking solutions for their busy lives:

• 58% prioritize healthy eating as part of their New Year’s goals
• 42% of parents specifically look for time-saving snack or meal options for school mornings
• 49% have increased their frozen food purchases due to rising costs

ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen

These insights are part of NFRA’s ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen campaign, inviting consumers to revisit the frozen and refrigerated aisles to explore new and familiar products, making meal prep easier and more enjoyable.