Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Maximize Your Budget and Health with Frozen Food

Mar 9, 2026

March is a special month for learning how to make healthy food choices. It’s not only National Nutrition Month, but it’s also National Frozen Food Month. These holidays encourage people to choose foods that nourish their bodies and meet their dietary and lifestyle preferences. Eating frozen foods offers many benefits including convenience, extending the shelf-life of food, locking in nutritional value and affordability.

Frozen fruits and vegetables are often picked at their peak ripeness and then frozen, which helps keep their nutrients and flavor. Freezing foods like meat and bread also help them last longer and reduce food waste.

Nutrition Benefits

A common myth is frozen foods aren’t healthy. That’s not always the case. Freezing foods that are inherently healthy gives your body the nutrients it needs. Frozen produce can be just as healthy as fresh produce! Keeping frozen fruits and vegetables at home can make it easier to consume them year-round.

If you are purchasing prepared frozen foods, read the nutrition label. Choose items without added sodium (salt) or sugar and unhealthy fats. A good rule of thumb is it’s usually healthiest when the ingredients list is short.

Storage and Preparation Benefits

Frozen foods are not only easy to prepare, but they last a long time. When stored properly, they are safe to eat for months. To ensure safe storage, keep your freezer temperate at 0°F, use airtight containers and close food bags tightly.

Preparation Benefits

When purchased frozen, foods are often washed, peeled and/or chopped already which saves time in the kitchen!

Cost Benefits

Frozen foods can help individuals, families and seniors save money and reduce waste. When purchasing frozen food, you don’t pay for parts of the fruits or vegetables you can’t eat. Freezing prepared meals is a safe way to minimize food waste and extends the life of your dollar. Many foods can be frozen if the entirety isn’t consumed so they don’t spoil and need to be thrown out. A best practice can be buying items like bread, produce and proteins in bulk and freezing what you won’t consume right away or buying produce when it’s in season and freezing it for later.

Berry and Cauliflower Smoothie

If you’ve never enjoyed cauliflower in a smoothie, this is the time to try! Frozen cauliflower adds a smooth texture, while berries brighten up the treat! If using a personal blender, quarter the recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Smoothie

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup cauliflower cut into small florets and frozen (or frozen cauliflower rice)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups low-fat milk of choice
  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries
  • 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter
  • 1 banana ripe
  • 2 tablespoons rolled or quick oats
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions
 

  • Combine frozen cauliflower, water, and milk in your blender. Blend until smooth and cauliflower is totally pureed.
  • Add remaining ingredients to your blender. Blend on high until smooth. Slowly add water until you have reached your desired consistency
  • Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Feel free to substitute peanut/almond butter with sunflower butter to make it nut free.
Keyword berries, berry, cauliflower, Oats, smoothie
Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.