Findus Italy celebrates 60 years of its iconic Minestrone

• Findus Italy offers a gesture of shared warmth, distributing thousands of portions to members of the public in the heart of Milan.
• The brand also donated an additional 60,000 servings to ETS Food Bank Foundation, supporting people and families in need.
• Findus also announced the expansion of its range with the new Traditional Minestrone with Garofalo Pasta, enriched with Parmigiano Reggiano and Fucino PGI Potato.

MILAN, Italy – February 4, 2026 – Findus Italy is celebrating 60 years of its iconic minestrone dish. Created in 1966 at its Cisterna di Latina factory, Findus Minestrone was among the first products to be launched by the brand, and is still at the heart of production today.

The innovation has helped shape the history of frozen food and consolidated Findus’ market leadership. Today, as part of Nomad Foods, the brand occupies a leading position in Italy’s frozen soup segment with a 34.9% value share[1]. The product is a mainstay in the homes of over 4 million Italian families[2], with more than 16 million packs produced in the last year alone – equivalent to almost 13,000 tonnes.

A recent survey by AstraRicerche[3] and commissioned by Findus has confirmed deep-rooted affection for the product in Italian culture. For more than 6 out of 10 current or past consumers of Findus Minestrone, it is a dish that recalls the tradition and hospitality of their family. Almost 9 in 10 Italians (89%) consume it regularly or occasionally, and more than half (54%) do so very frequently.

"Findus Minestrone was born in 1966, in an Italy that was changing rapidly: cities grew, families moved, women entered the workforce and everyday life became more hectic," explains Renato Roca, Country Manager of Findus Italy. "Minestrone brought something unique: a nutritious, warm and ready dish, capable of offering a moment of comfort amid everyday life.”

“Sixty years later, we are pleased to see confirmation of the deep connection that still unites Italians to this product. According to the survey conducted by AstraRicerche, 88% of current or past consumers say they have consumed Findus Minestrone as a child or teenager; and more than 98% of parents who consume Findus Minestrone today still serve it to their children, confirming a relationship that is renewed from generation to generation.”

“Minestrone Tradizione remains a pillar of our vegetable range. Made with 15 different vegetables, all grown in Italy and using sustainable agriculture, it reflects our long-standing focus on quality, territory and people".

Minestrone, a must-have on Italian tables
The AstraRicerche study shows that minestrone is widely appreciated by Italians for its nutritional balance (59.6%) and its strong association with home and family (50.5%). In winter, frozen minestrone becomes the preferred choice: 40.4% consume it at least weekly, compared with 32.6% for fresh minestrone. The preference for frozen is driven by convenience (81%), year‑round access to a variety of vegetables (76.9%), and the balance of nutritional benefits in comparison with fresh ingredients (67.8%).

Over half of Italians (54.6%) personalise their minestrone with extra ingredients. Most commonly added is extra virgin olive oil (58.8%) and cheeses (52.5%), followed by vegetables and legumes (49.2%). Pasta, rice and other cereals (42%) are also commonly added, as well as croutons and bruschetta (41%).

Findus Minestrone is known to 95.5% of Italians, and 74.6% report being current or past consumers. More than 6 out of 10 Italians (60.8%) bring it to the table today, and almost one in four (24.2%) consume it regularly.

Perceptions are strongly positive: consumers trust the experience and reliability of the Findus brand (80.4%), value its wide variety of vegetables (79.4%) and appreciate the quality of its carefully selected ingredients (79.3%).

A warm moment in Milan
On 29 January, during the ‘Days of the Blackbird’, traditionally some of the coldest days of the year, Findus brought the warmth of its minestrone to Piazza Gae Aulenti in Milan. The special event blended taste, community and solidarity, with Findus distributing thousands of portions and activating the "Suspended Minestrone" initiative - providing an additional 60,000 servings to the ETS Food Bank Foundation, ensuring food for individuals and families who need it most.

A tribute to the region: the new Traditional Minestrone with Pasta
Continuing its tradition of quality and respect for local flavours, Findus has expanded its range with the new Minestrone Tradizione with Pasta. Combining the variety of the vegetables of the traditional recipe with the authentic taste of Pasta Garofalo, the new product highlights some of Italy’s finest ingredients, including cheese, extra virgin olive oil and Fucino PGI potatoes.

According to the AstraRicerche survey, more than 6 out of 10 Italians (64.9%) are interested in trying a version of minestrone that is already prepared and enriched with pasta – confirming the desire for convenient, tasty products that blend tradition and innovation.

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Editor's note:

[1] Fonte: Circana to Italy FY 2025

[2] Cast Iron: YouGov MAT P11 2025

[3] The survey administered in January 2026 involved a sample of 1,015 people representative of 18-65 year olds residing in Italy.