Weis Markets and Rouses Markets each earned multiple Gold Awards in the 2026 Golden Penguin Awards, recognizing marketing programs that improved consumer awareness and drove category growth for frozen foods.
Two Retailers Take Home Multiple Trophies
Weis Markets took home three Gold Awards for its In-Store Event, Private Brand Campaign and Social Media Campaign. Rouses Markets won Gold for Community Involvement, In-Store Display and Overall Marketing Campaign among retailers. Houchens Food Group placed five individual stores across the Gold and Silver In-Store Display categories.
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association awarded 28 Gold Awards and 22 Silver Awards across the categories. Each year, the association honors efforts led by retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, sales agents and industry partners for creativity and commitment to advancing the frozen food category.
Winning programs reflected key marketplace trends, including shopper engagement across multiple channels, strategic use of social media, health and wellness messaging and collaborative partnerships between retailers and manufacturers. Silver Award recipients included Weis Markets, Rouses Markets, Chris’ Food Center, Mackenthun’s Fine Foods and multiple Houchens Food Group stores, along with The Campbell’s Company, AWG, Douglas Sales Associates, Kayco/Dorot Gardens and the North Florida Frozen Refrigerated Foods Association.
The complete list of winners is available at nfraweb.org.
Industry Leaders Celebrate Frozen Food Value
Gold Award recipients will be recognized during the Golden Penguin Awards Luncheon on Oct. 20 at the 2026 NFRA Convention in National Harbor, Maryland. The association will also reveal its Top Marketer Awards during the event, reserved for the highest-scoring entries in the Overall Marketing Campaign categories.
Tricia Greyshock, president and CEO of the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association, said the programs recognized reflect the passion and creativity members bring to help consumers discover frozen food solutions.
“As consumer preferences continue to evolve, frozen foods remain a relevant solution for households seeking flexibility, variety and value,” Greyshock said.
The association provides consumer information through its Easy Home Meals website and social media properties. It also sponsors national promotions including ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen in January, March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties, which help consumers find new property rules for shopping.
NFRA is a nonprofit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. The association sponsors national promotions including ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen in January, March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and Summer Favorites Ice Cream & Novelties, and provides consumer information through its Easy Home Meals website and social media properties.
The Shelby Report delivers complete grocery news and supermarket insights nationwide through the distribution of five monthly regional print and digital editions. Serving the retail food trade since 1967, the publication offers in-depth analysis of market trends, distribution strategies and competitive trends across the grocery setting.
