Assignment #2:
CONVENIENCE FOODS
COMPARISON
Convenience Foods
• Convenience foods are used to
shorten the time of meal
preparation at home.
• Some foods can be eaten
immediately or after adding
water, heating or thawing;
canned soup and frozen dinners
are two examples.
• Other convenience foods such
as cake mixes are only partially
prepared.
Food Technology
•
•
World War II – dehydrated foods
1948 Pillsbury first cake mix
(white and chocolate fudge)
–
–
–
–
•
No mixer
Beat with a wooden spoon
Course texture
10 years until fine texture
Histories: TANG –NASA “The
drink of the astronauts”
What affects the cost of
convenience foods:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Research
Preparation
Processing
Packaging
Labor
Management
Shipping
Marketing
Convenience Food Info
1. Some convenience foods cost
less, some cost MUCH, MUCH
more.
2. May require a larger food
budget.
3. Requires careful planning and
price comparisons.
4. Desired amount, equipment,
ingredients, and supplies.
Why do people buy convenience
foods?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Busy schedules
Quick meal
Easy to fix
Lifestyle
Time saved makes up for
extra $$ spent
Why don’t people buy
convenience foods?
1. Less time spent interacting with
family
2. May have lower nutritional value
3. May not include enough portions
of fruit and vegetables
4. May not get enough servings
from the Canadian Food gUIDE
5. Contains a high percentage of fat
and sodium
Convenience Foods
•
Easy for children, elderly, people
with poor health.
• Simplify meal preparation
• Can be used in creative ways:
1. Added as an ingredient in a
recipe.
2. Combined with other convenience
foods to create a homemade
taste.
ADVANTAGES OF
CONVENIENCE FOODS
•less preparation time
•reduced planning, buying and
storing of ingredients
•fewer leftovers
•more variety, especially for
inexperienced cooks
•faster and easier cleanup
•storability – usually keep well
for extended periods
Convenience Foods Save Time
But Can Cost More
•
Convenience foods can cost more than the same foods you make at
home.
•
Choose them carefully. Make foods at home, if you have the time.
•
What adds to the cost of convenience foods?
*packaging
*precooking
*seasoning and sauces
•
The more done to foods by someone else – the more you pay:
•
Make your own convenience foods
*Leftovers are one key to convenience
*Plan meals so you will have leftovers to eat later in
the week.
$ Make Your Food Dollars Count $_
DISADVANTAGES OF
CONVENIENCE FOODS
• may be less meat, fish or cheese
than you would include in homemade
versions
• cooking time is sometimes increased
for thawing or longer baking time
• harder to control fat, salt and sugar
levels
• cost per serving may be higher than
homemade
HIGH COST CONVENIENCE
*frozen vegetables with sauce
*coating mixes
*carry out or deli items
*frozen entrees or dinners
*instant hot cereals
*fancy bakery items
*ready-to-use frosting
*frozen pancake batter
*meat “helpers”
*seasoned rice
LOW COST CONVENIENCE
*frozen juice concentrate
*cake and pancake dry mixes
*canned vegetables and fruits
*plain frozen vegetables
*instant mashed potatoes
*spaghetti sauce
*instant nonfat dry milk
*macaroni and cheese dry mix
*canned condensed soups
*frozen French fries
*bread, crackers, rolls
Some Convenience Foods are
Cheaper than Homemade
because:
*mass production and distribution
are more cost effective
*transportation is cheaper for
packaged foods, especially in
concentrated form
*original purchase costs take
advantage of bulk prices and
seasonal production
*less spoilage and waste occur with
packaged convenience items
THREE LEVELS OF CONVENIENCE
BASIC – canned, frozen, or dried foods with
one or very few ingredients; instant
potatoes, frozen juice concentrates, and
canned vegetables
COMPLEX – several ingredients with more
time-saving processing; these often cost
more than homemade—ready-to-use
frosting, frozen waffles, and frozen entrees
MANUFACTURED – cannot be made at
home, relatively expensive because of
production technology--carbonated
beverages, instant breakfast, and readyto-eat cereals