Convenience Foods vs. Making from Scratch

1. Convenience Foods vs. Making from Scratch Made by Ms. Hughes

2. Competency #46 • Compare and contrast the cost and taste of made-from-scratch, convenience, and ready-made foods.

3. What does it mean to make something from scratch • Making a food from scratch involves using staple ingredients, or other store bought ingredients. • Ex. Making our cookies, and making the macaroni and cheese

4. Advantages of Made from scratch • You are in control of the recipe • Flavors • Dietary restrictions • Freshness • May be less expensive than purchasing ready-made or convenience versions • May be a family recipe passed down from generation to generation

5. Disadvantages • In general may take longer than similar convenience methods • Can be more expensive • Requires you have all necessary ingredients on hand • More mistakes may happen if you are inexperienced in preparing the recipe

6. What are convenience foods • Box macaroni and cheese • Soups • Taco kits • Hamburger Helper • Quaker Oats oatmeal • Boxed cake mixes

7. Ready Made Foods • Foods sold premade or cooked. • Ex. Deli salads • Bakery items • Rotisserie Chicken • Frozen or Refrigerated entrees, dinners, or side dishes

8. Convenience Foods-Advantages • 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

9. Convenience Foods-Disadvantages • May be less of certain ingredients (meat, fish, cheese) • Cooking time may be increased for thawing or longer baking time • Harder to control fat, salt, and sugar • Cost per serving my be higher that homemade

10. Three Levels of Convenience • Basic-canned, frozen, or dried foods with few ingredients • Instant potatoes, frozen juice concentrate, canned veggies

11. Three Levels of Convenience • Complex- Several ingredients with more time-saving processing, these often cost more than homemade • Ready to use frosting, frozen waffles, frozen entrees

12. Three Levels of Convenience • Manufactured-Cannot be made at home, relatively expensive because of production technology • Carbonated beverages

13. What makes a Convenience Food Cheaper than Homemade • Mass production and distribution are cost effective • Transportation is cheaper for packaged foods • Taking advantage of bulk prices and seasonal production • Less spoilage and waste occur

14. Low Cost Convenience • Spaghetti sauce • Macaroni and cheese dry mix • Canned condensed soups • Frozen french fries • Bread, crackers, rolls • Frozen juice concentrate • Cake and pancake dry mixes • Canned vegetables and fruits • Plain frozen vegetables • Instant mashed potatoes

15. Some Convenience Foods are more expensive • Choose convenience foods carefully and make it at home if you have time/resources • Packaging, precooking, and seasoning and sauces add cost • The more done to foods by someone else the more you pay

16. High Cost Convenience • Fancy bakery items • Ready to use frosting • Frozen pancake batter • Meat “helpers” • Seasoned Rice • Frozen vegetables with sauce • Coating mixes • Carry-out or deli items • Frozen entrees or dinners • Instant hot cereals