It’s Almost a Wrap!

We can almost safely say that 2020 is coming to a close. We wouldn’t want to do that prematurely though, as this year has taught us that nothing is a given. We can, however, continue to reflect and process the events of 2020 and look forward to what’s to come in 2021. 

 Our food storage container business, with sales heavily dependent on adults commuting to work and kids bringing their lunch to school, experienced a long lull before starting to rebound. The reflection and outlook that follows here is from the perspective of a small business owner.

 Transparency on Previously Taboo Topics

The pandemic, politics, racial and social justice, and the climate crisis – topics that pre-March 2020 might have been taboo for businesses to take a stance on, lest they disenfranchise employees, customers or stakeholders – are now at the forefront begging the question what do you stand for?

Frego’s take: Despite a year full of incredible hardships, we do feel awareness, passion and momentum by consumers is growing at an exponential rate. They will be demanding transparency in all areas from the businesses they support and if a business can’t figure out where they stand or articulate it authentically, consumers will have no issue saying buh-bye. 

Frego has always donated a percentage of our proceeds to The Lunchbox Fund to support school children in need of healthy meals. Additionally, in 2021, we’ll continue to share our efforts and advocacy in environmental issues while more deeply connecting to the teachings of Indigenous people as stewards of the land and our planet.

 Small-business Bonding

Pre-pandemic, the continued wave of rising entrepreneurship and small business in America was forging ahead. Businesses were afforded the luxury of planning for and meeting aggressive sales goals. Covid-19 shut that down. It caused pause, then creativity, followed by a more intentional coming together of small businesses in order to survive.

Frego’s take: Locally in Minnesota, where Frego is based, we saw the owner of Mpls Craft Market move her marketplace online. She even hopped on IGTV, with some admitted reservations, to openly share the challenges of keeping the market going and supporting small businesses -- all the while being a spokesperson for masking up and conducting business in safe ways. 

Another dynamic group of women makers took to a pop-up shop at Southdale Mall. Founders.co not only carries the goods of these makers, it curates artistic and collective themes to help their shoppers navigate the gift-giving season in style.

 The Joy of Cooking and Baking

As things came to a halt this spring, we learned a new language for our normal from the term shelter in place to new virtual languages like Zoom. Many of us discovered just how quickly and multi-task like we actually moved during our normal-paced life and it was eye-opening. With nothing but time at home on our hands, we cooked and baked – anything nostalgia-inducing would do… And for some, increased calorie intake coupled with anxiety and stress, added a few pounds lovingly accepted with grace.

Frego’s take:Forced to slow down and amidst uncertainty, we stood in our kitchens. We understood we might have time to make a nourishing meal and sit down to enjoy it (a luxury not carved out many American households). If we seized that opportunity, we made meals, ate together, and baked the carb-heaviest bread we could find on Instagram. 

 Nine months into this pandemic we have and will continue to notice kitchen, food prep and surrounding behaviors all going through phases. We’re predicting an organizational onslaught in January 2021. A country hopeful to start anew will be doing our usual new year cleanse times ten. Do you feel that coming on too?

 The Wrap Up

In closing out our reflection for 2020, we hope you and your families have a healthy and safe holiday season. As for 2021, continue to seek socially good companies that align with your values, shop small and local, and allow frego to help you organize the way you prep, store, heat and store food and enjoy healthy snacks and meals! 

Wishing you cheers and hope in 2021 – Juhi and the frego team