[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 30, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E563-E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING FROZEN FOOD MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2011

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Frozen 
Food Month and to thank the thousands of individuals who work in the 
frozen food industry who help hard-working families have access to 
healthy foods.
  Few other food choices provide consumers with the benefits and 
flexibility offered by frozen foods. Today, frozen entrees are 
healthier--using less sodium, less fat and including more whole grains. 
Frozen fruits and vegetables can be nutritionally superior to their 
fresh counterparts, particularly over time.
  Frozen foods have also played a key role in helping nourish Americans 
and feed the world. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
U.S. exports of frozen food hit an all-time high in 2010 at $11 
billion, an increase of more than 50 percent since 2006.
  The industry is also a key job producer. With almost 700 facilities 
located nationwide, it employs nearly 100,000 Americans. In the state 
of Washington alone, more than 7,400 jobs come from the frozen food 
industry.
  This makes sense. One of Washington state's top advantages is its 
reliable production of high quality crops. There are more than 300 
crops commercially produced, which can be turned into a diverse range 
of quality frozen food products for American consumers and growing 
markets in Asia. Potatoes, apples, grapes, and berries are just some of 
the crops that are processed and frozen.
  I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to commemorate 
the accomplishments of some in the industry who have made a difference. 
Clarence Birdseye--an all American inventor--who ushered in a food 
revolution in 1930 when his line of frozen foods first hit grocery 
stores, introducing America to affordable foods that were easy to make.
  William McCaffray Sr. founded the National Frozen Food headquartered 
in Seattle, Washington. Mr. McCaffray started freezing one-pound cups 
of strawberries in 1928--some of the earliest frozen retail packaging 
in the world. The impact that these two gentlemen had on the industry 
and the impact that the industry has had on this nation are 
immeasurable. There is no doubt that the innovations and contributions 
of this vital American industry will continue to shape the future 
success of our country.

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