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
Read where do you buy scratch?

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

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 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