Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Feature Impact) The key to easy preparation of high-quality meals, wasting less food and saving money may already be sitting in your kitchen.

For many families, the freezer is for last-minute meal options. However, new federal nutrition guidance and growing scientific consensus reveal a different reality: frozen foods can be the starting point for healthy eating, not a backup plan. That’s why the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) is launching “Fresh Thinking About Frozen,” a campaign to help families discover these benefits of frozen foods.

Making Nutrition Achievable

The recently released 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the nation’s top nutrition advice, emphasizes portion control and nutrient-dense foods. Frozen options deliver on both counts.

Families who keep frozen produce on hand tend to eat more fruits and vegetables overall. Pre-portioned frozen meals also help people eat what they need without overdoing it. Plus, the convenience factor matters: frozen berries are ready for a morning smoothie, pre-cut frozen vegetables can be added to tonight’s stir-fry and a balanced frozen meal can be quickly paired with a salad.

That isn’t cutting corners. It’s being smart on how best to feed a family well.

Freezing Hits the Pause Button on Fresh Foods

Freezing food only changes a food’s temperature, not its nutrition. Freezing keeps food close to its original state without requiring additives.

Produce begins to lose nutritional value right after it’s harvested. Freezing fruits and vegetables hours after harvest pauses nutrient degradation and locks in the vitamins and minerals, so the food remains farm fresh even as it travels across the country to your grocery store. Frozen meals are similarly made with real ingredients and turned into just-cooked recipes then frozen for families to eat when they’re ready.

The nutrition community understands this. A recent survey conducted by AFFI found 94% of registered dietitians agree frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. Another 92% said frozen foods offer a variety of nutritious meal offerings. These findings are central to the “Fresh Thinking About Frozen” message: Frozen is not second-best. It’s simply smart.

Solving the Food Waste Problem

Nearly 40% of food in the United States gets thrown away, according to the nonprofit ReFED. That translates to roughly $1,500 per year per household, straight into the trash along with unused produce and forgotten leftovers.

Frozen helps fix that problem. Eight in 10 consumers agree buying frozen helps reduce food waste at home, AFFI research finds. The reason is simple: You use what you need, when you need it and the rest stays perfectly preserved. No more dreading the refrigerator cleanouts and feeling guilty over the uneaten food going into the trashcan.

Time for Fresh Thinking

Families already making this shift aren’t settling for less. They’re strategic about nutrition, budget and time. They integrate the freezer into regular meal planning. They feel confident about providing quality foods that are simply frozen.

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The freezer isn’t a place of last resort. It’s a tool for eating well in real life. Visit frozenadvantage.org/FTAF for tips, recipes and resources to make the most of your freezer.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

American Frozen Food Institute

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Family Features) Coming inside from a cold day calls for moments spent under a blanket, around a warm fire and curled up with a hot bowl of delicious, comforting food. From chili to pasta, your winter menu is sure to feature filling dishes that warm you and your loved ones from the inside out.

For example, you can beat the chill with Pumpkin Chili, which uses Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for a thicker, creamier texture and subtly sweet, earthy flavor. Plus, it comes together in around 30 minutes as an easy solution for busy weeknights or weekend fun.

Switch up pasta night with Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese for a rich, velvety texture that features cheddar and gruyere cheeses, but you can substitute other favorites like Monterey Jack, fontina or gouda. The extra creamy texture and flavor from cream cheese means you can save time without making a traditional cream sauce using flour for added convenience.

These hearty, filling recipes feature delicious, nutritious and high-quality Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin that adds warmth to the menu all year long mixed into baked goods, morning smoothies and more. With special care and premium quality in mind, the non-GMO pumpkin grown in the USA without preservatives can be your new go-to.

To find more ways to warm up this winter, visit greengiantvegetables.com.

Pumpkin Chili

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2          tablespoons olive oil
  
• 1          green bell pepper, chopped
  
• 1          yellow onion, chopped
  
• 1          pound ground turkey
  
• 1          tablespoon chili powder
  
• 1          teaspoon smoked paprika
  
• 2          teaspoons cumin
  
• 1/2       teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1          cup chicken broth
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1. In Dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil. Add bell pepper and onion. Saute 5 minutes.
2. Add ground turkey and separate with spatula. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder.
3. Add broth, tomatoes and pumpkin. Bring to boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer 3 minutes.
4. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 26 minutes
Servings: 10

• 1 1/2    pounds shell pasta
  
• 3          tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 2          teaspoons minced garlic
  
• 1          tablespoon fresh chopped sage
  
• 4          ounces cream cheese, cubed
  
• 2          cans (15 ounces each) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
  
• 2          cups whole milk
  
• 2 1/2    cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  
• 2 1/2    cups freshly grated gruyere cheese
  
• 2          teaspoons Dijon mustard
  
• 1          teaspoon salt
  
• 1/4       teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta when al dente, about 8 minutes.
2. In large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat butter. Add garlic and sage; saute 1-2 minutes, until garlic is lightly browned. Add cream cheese and pumpkin. Heat until cream cheese is melted and stir to combine.
3. Gradually stir in milk, cheddar and gruyere. Stir in Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes.
4. Fold in cooked pasta.

SOURCE:
Green Giant

Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Pizza Hut is bringing back its iconic Heart-Shaped Pizza for Valentine’s Day — and it’s doing it with a pop-culture assist from Backstreet Boys members Nick Carter and Howie Dorough.

Announced Feb. 10, the limited-time collaboration is titled “The Shape of My Heart-Shaped Pizza,” a nod to the group’s hit “Shape of My Heart” and a neat fit for a product that’s basically made for February 14.

A Valentine’s campaign built for social (and nostalgia)

Pizza Hut says it teamed up with Carter and Dorough to create a series of social spots inspired by “Shape of My Heart.” In one featured video, the duo leans into a playful generational debate — Millennial vs. Gen Z hand-heart gestures— before settling on the one thing both sides can agree on: sharing a slice.

The timing also taps into a bigger Backstreet Boys moment. The band recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its album Millennium and continues its “Into The Millennium” residency at SPHERE in Las Vegas, keeping the nostalgia engine running for longtime fans while pulling in younger audiences.

How to order Pizza Hut’s Heart-Shaped Pizza

The Heart-Shaped Pizza is available now through Feb. 22, with a medium one-topping option starting at $11.99.

Pizza Hut is pitching the limited-time pie as an easy win for Valentine’s Day — whether you’re planning a cozy night in, surprising someone with a low-lift dinner idea, or leaning into a solo celebration.

To learn more or place an order, Pizza Hut directs customers to: https://www.pizzahut.com/c/content/heart-shaped-pizza

Offer details (quick fine print)

• Limited-time offer
• Medium one-topping pizza
• Hand-tossed crust only
• Pizza arrives uncut
• Extra toppings/cheese cost more
• Availability, pricing, and participation may vary

What to watch for

Seasonal menu items are nothing new — but Pizza Hut’s heart-shaped pizza has the kind of built-in shareability brands chase: it’s instantly recognizable, it photographs well, and it’s tied to a calendar moment people already post about.

Adding Carter and Dorough gives the campaign a second hook: nostalgia that travels fast on social, plus a light “generational” angle that’s easy to remix in comments.

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, was founded in 1958 and operates nearly 20,000 restaurants across more than 110 markets and territories. The brand is known for icons like Original Pan and Original Stuffed Crustpizzas. Pizza Hut also continues to push digital ordering, with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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