Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame Inducts Harris Teeter as a 2025 Pioneer

In October, the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) will honour two distinguished figures in the grocery industry during its annual convention. Joey Bates and Tom Robaczewski, both with over three decades of experience, will be inducted into the Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame.

Joey Bates, senior director of store development and strategy at Harris Teeter, has been a longtime advocate for the refrigerated category. He played a pivotal role in rolling out innovative products and bringing emerging brands to Harris Teeter stores. Bates served on the NFRA board of directors from 2013 to 2023, chaired the Refrigerated Food Council from 2021 to 2023, and helped launch the NFRA Convention's Speed Meetings.

Tom Robaczewski, the retired director of sales at Bimbo Bakeries USA, has over 40 years of experience in the grocery industry, encompassing retail, brokerage, and manufacturing. Robaczewski spent 23 years at Dominick's Finer Foods before transitioning into brokerage for 14 years, during which time he first became involved with NFRA. He joined Bays Bakery (later acquired by Bimbo) in 2012 and led national refrigerated sales efforts, including the Lender's Bagels line.

The Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during the Membership Luncheon at the 2025 NFRA Convention on Monday, Oct. 20, at the World Center Marriott, in Orlando, Fla.

The NFRA, a Harrisburg, Pa.-based nonprofit trade association, represents all segments of the frozen and refrigerated food industry. The popularity of GLP-1 medications is driving demand for high-protein frozen foods, according to an NFRA study that uncovers how these medications are reshaping grocery shopping habits.

Harris Teeter, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., employs 36,000 associates and operates more than 250 stores and 70 fuel centers across multiple states. The Cincinnati-based grocer, which ranks No. 4 on Progressive Grocer's 2025 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America, serves over 11 million customers daily through a digital shopping experience and retail food stores under various banner names.

For 15 consecutive years, Tom Robaczewski attended the NFRA Convention as a one-man sales team, meeting with more than 20 retailers annually and contributing to 12 years of consistent sales growth. He also sat on the NFRA board of directors for multiple years and is a member of the Honorable Order of Golden Penguins.

The NFRA represents a wide range of grocery businesses, including Wegmans, which has launched a restaurant-inspired frozen pizza line as part of its Amore private brand. The Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame was established by NFRA in 2010 to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the refrigerated foods industry.