Food Choices

Influences on Choices Food types - What are you in the mood for? Comfort Foods - Food that help your mood or feelings Money - You may know fellow students that always have money for food/snacks even if they don’t have a job

Where to eat? Eating in requires time and skill typically, it is lower cost we will look more in-depth about this Eating out usually requires less time much more expensive

Where to eat Eating out You also don’t know what ingredients are used Allergies Sensitivities Can end up being very unhealthy

Food Buying Trends Organic Foods Foods grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, and hormones In order to be labelled ‘Organic,’ foods must meet strict government regulations Potential for high costs

Food Buying Trends Online Food Shopping Ordering groceries online typically used to save time also used by those with limited mobility or access to grocery stores adds expense due to shipping 10-20$ plus tips

Product Brands National Brands Sold across the country Heavily advertised Usually the most expensive Consistent Quality

Product Brands House Brands AKA private labels supermarket chains tend to have their own labels may or may not share the chain name Quality is usually good Costs are usually less

Product Brands Generic Products very plain labels “Macaroni and Cheese” “Bakes Beans” Typically, similar nutrition info Cost is much less

Making Buying Choices Freshness Quality Quantity Cost Brand

Unit Cost Expressing the cost of an item per unit of measure Example 1.5 lbs of ground beef for $/pound

Unit Cost In most cases, larger packaging has a lower unit cost There are some instances where this is not true, however. Some grocers put the information on the shelves

Questions Find the cost per ounce a 12-oz box of rice for 3.50 a 18-oz box of rice for 5.00 a 24-oz box of rice for 7.25 Which size box would you purchase?

Questions Find the Unit Price per ounce 10 oz of soup for oz of soup for oz of soup for 4.34 Which can would you buy?

Questions List the purchase considerations from most important to you to least. Why did you choose the way you did? (Cost, Quality, Quantity, Freshness, Brand)

Activity Get into groups of 4-5 Imagine that you 4 or 5 were going to be living in an apartment/house together after high school. Food is communal and will be decided for and paid for by all

Activity Come up with a menu for five days worth of meals. What are you going to eat for breakfast each day? Lunch each day? Dinner each day? When you are finished, make a shopping list of what you will need to buy. Make sure it includes how much you will need.

Homework Go to the store and find everything on your list. Find the cost and quantity of all of your items for a national brand name as well as a generic or house brand. Due Friday