Frozen is the New Fresh: Preserving Tropical Goodness Year-Round

When most people hear the word fresh, they imagine produce picked from the field and eaten the same day. But in today’s global food system, “fresh” doesn’t always mean peak flavor, nutrition, or efficiency — especially when it comes to tropical fruits and vegetables. That’s where MIC Food Group® comes in.

At MIC Food Group®, we believe frozen is the new fresh, because our plantains, yuca, boniato, and other tropical staples are harvested at their peak and immediately frozen to lock in their natural flavor, texture, and nutrients. It’s a smarter way to bring authentic tropical ingredients to foodservice operators, without the unpredictability or prep work that comes with traditional fresh produce.

Here’s why frozen deserves a spot at the table during National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month — and every month of the year.

The Problem with “Fresh” Produce in Foodservice

The traditional definition of fresh produce comes with a few hidden costs, especially for foodservice operators who need to deliver consistent quality at scale. Here are just a few challenges:

• Short shelf life: Fresh produce can spoil in a matter of days, leading to waste and added costs.
• Labor-intensive prep: Peeling plantains or breaking down root vegetables like yuca is time-consuming and physically demanding.
• Seasonal limitations: Many tropical ingredients are only available fresh during certain times of year — and that’s assuming they arrive intact after long-distance shipping.
• Inconsistent quality: Variability in ripeness, size, and texture can affect recipes and customer satisfaction.
  

Now imagine a world where you get peak-ripeness tropical produce, year-round, in a heat-and-serve format. That’s the promise of frozen.

Flash Freezing: Capturing Peak Ripeness

The key to MIC Food Group’s products is our Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) process.

Unlike conventional freezing methods that can degrade texture or flavor, the IQF process rapidly drops the temperature of our produce immediately after harvest. This preserves the cellular structure of the food, locking in:

• Natural flavor
• Vibrant color
• Firm texture
• Nutrients and antioxidants

This method ensures the product you’re serving in July tastes just as fresh and flavorful as it did the moment it was picked in February — with none of the decay or degradation that “fresh” produce can experience during transport or storage.

Fresh vs. Frozen: The Nutritional Facts

It might surprise you to learn that frozen produce can actually be more nutritious than fresh, especially when that “fresh” produce has spent days or even weeks in transit.

Various studies suggest that the process of freezing produce can lead to lower nutrient loss. Produce that is frozen at peak ripeness retains more vitamins and antioxidants than produce that is picked early and ripens in trucks or on shelves. Key benefits include:

• Better Vitamin Retention: Flash-frozen vegetables retain significantly more vitamin C and folate than those left to sit in storage.
• No Additives or Preservatives: MIC’s frozen products are 100% natural, with no artificial ingredients or added sugars.
• Consistent Macros: Our products are lab-tested for reliable nutritional labeling, making them ideal for K-12 schools, healthcare facilities, and institutional kitchens.

Frozen no longer means “less than” — it means “locked in.”

MIC Food Group® Products: Nature’s Best, Prepped for You

Our tropical roots and fruits are more than just convenient — they’re rooted in tradition, sustainability, and global flavor. Here’s how MIC makes frozen food a smart choice for your kitchen:

Ripe Plantains & Tostones

Our sweet plantains (maduros) and tostones are fully cooked and ready to heat, with the same caramelized sweetness or crispy perfection you’d get from doing it yourself — minus the peeling, slicing, and frying.

Yuca & Boniato

Our frozen root vegetables are hand-harvested and prepped for convenience. They’re peeled, cut, and par-cooked so all you need to do is heat and serve. No more wasting time breaking down tough skins or worrying about spoilage.

100% Natural Ingredients

We don’t just freeze our products, we protect their integrity. Every item is made with clean, simple ingredients and no artificial preservatives. Freezing is one of the most natural ways to preserve food, it locks in flavor, texture, and nutrients at peak ripeness without the need for additives. Just the goodness of the earth, preserved with care.

Why Foodservice Operators Trust MIC’s Frozen Approach

Labor-Saving Format

Pre-cut, pre-cooked, and ready to go. Our products reduce kitchen prep time, free up staff for more important tasks, and eliminate the need for specialized skills to prepare tropical ingredients.

Inventory Efficiency

Frozen products can be stored longer without quality loss, helping operators better manage inventory, reduce shrinkage, and eliminate food waste.

Food Safety You Can Count On

MIC is GFSI-certified and committed to end-to-end traceability. Our production processes follow the highest food safety standards — from farm to freezer to fork.

Cultural Consistency

Our products are used by schools, hospitals, restaurants, and national brands to deliver authentic Latin and Caribbean flavors consistently across every plate.

A Sustainable Choice

Did you know that food waste is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions? One of the best ways to fight food waste is by freezing more and wasting less.

Because MIC’s products are frozen at peak ripeness and portioned for foodservice use, they help reduce:

• Waste from spoiled fresh produce
• Prep scraps and peelings
• Inconsistencies that lead to overproduction
  

Plus, by sourcing directly from farms and flash-freezing close to harvest, we lower the environmental cost of long-haul shipments and refrigeration chains.

Celebrate Freshness Differently This June

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month is about celebrating the bounty of nature and making smart choices for our health and our plates. While MIC Food Group® doesn’t sell fresh produce in the traditional sense, we honor true freshness by preserving it at its best — and delivering it to you with consistency, convenience, and care.

Whether you’re a school foodservice director planning meals for thousands of students, a hospital dietitian managing dietary restrictions, or a chef seeking bold Caribbean flavor without the prep, MIC’s frozen tropical foods are a fresh take on tradition.

Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Rethink “Fresh”

In a world where speed, efficiency, and consistency matter — frozen is no longer a compromise. It’s an upgrade.

Our message is simple: “Our plantains, yuca, boniato, and other tropical staples are frozen at their peak to ensure the same natural quality and taste you’d expect from fresh — with none of the prep or waste.”

So this June, while the spotlight is on fruits and vegetables, take a moment to explore the smarter, fresher way to serve tropical produce, with MIC Food Group®.

Explore our full catalog of ready-to-serve tropical fruits and vegetables and see why frozen is the new fresh.