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“RECOGNIZING FROZEN FOOD MONTH” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E563-E564 on March 30, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING FROZEN FOOD MONTH
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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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