Cost of convenience

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 6

Cost of convenience

The weekly food bill for a family of four may cost $8 more when prepared or semi-prepared meals replace foods cooked at home.

This estimate was made by the Department of University Extension at the University of Otago during a recent survey on packet, canned and frozen convenience foods. The cost of feeding a nujtritionally adequate diet to an adult couple with two jschool-age children would be about $l9 a week if the foods were preapred at ihome, the survey showed. When similar foods were : bought in “convenience !form” the cost would be i about $27 to feed the same [family. All costs quoted 'were based on standard retail prices in Dunedin during September, 1975. “The additional $8 is invested in savings of time and energy,” a press release from the department says. TIME SAVED By using convenience foods the family of four 1

could save an estimated four hours weekly in food preparation time. The actual time saved would depend on the skills of the person preparing the food. The person who chooses to prepare meals “from i scratch” rather than by I using convenience foods : would be working for a 1 foods’ preparation wage of about 50c an hour. Before a decision can be made for convenience, other relevant factors such as comparitive nutritional values, food quality, acceptibility and suitability of product size must be considered.

The use of convenience foods is one way to minimise time and energy expenditure on family meals. Good managerial skills and a critical evaluation of food preparation methods can, however, decrease time spent without affecting food costs. This will also retain the creative aspect of food preparation so frequently oe;nied the person who uses convenience products. In New Zealand about 17 per cent of the family in- 1

come is spent on food. Family meal preparation maytake more time than any other household activity. Skilful planning and management can extend even the most “stretched” dollar or "busiest” hour. A leaflet on quick, easy and economical recipes is available from the department. Applications for it should be sent to the following address: — “Convenience Without Cost,” Home Science Information Officer, Department of University Extension, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin. A postal note for 20 cents must be enclosed.