Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > October > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAre you turning to supermarket prepared meals?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to a new report from foodservice consultants, Technomic, in a survey of more than 1,500 consumers, over 60 percent of shoppers are buying more supermarket prepared meals than a year ago, instead of opting for fast-food. 86 percent cited convenience as the reason for choosing packaged retailer “meal solutions.”
Not only that:
55 percent think that retailer prepared foods have greatly improved over the past three years, citing taste and freshness as the key factors in their decision making.
Over 80 percent reported buying at least one prepared meal from a retailer in a typical month. 41 percent purchase four or more retailer meals per month.
It does make sense. With recent gas shortages and rising prices, one-stop food and dining shopping has never looked more attractive. I know I have been caught eyeing pre-assembled skewers and meatloaf mixes. They definitely save time and effort.
How do you feel about them? Is your supermarket making it easier for you to get a home cooked meal on the table or does fast-food still win the “get dinner on the table now” battle?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Home cooking
Comments
By Stacey
October 17, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I love the rotisserie chickens from Kroger and Publix and it is not unusual for me to buy a couple of them while they are on sale. I will serve one immediately with sides or a salad and freeze the other one for “hard times”. I also buy the take & bake pizzas for Saturday night dinner now instead of ordering take out (which had become a tradition).
By JJ
October 17, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
I LOVE the rotisseire chickens from Publix, especially the Mojo.
We pick at it for dinner one night, then I will cut the majority of the meat off for chicken salad for another night, then I will boil the carcus for stock for soups. You can freeze the stock for up to 3 months. I love buying whole chickens. Alot of bang for your buck!!! I can feed us for over a week on one whole chicken.
And we buy the ready made salads at Publix too. They are great for when my daughter gets home from school, instead of junk food.
I don’t shop at Kroger anymore.
By sclinton
October 17, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Publix has saved me on many occasions. My family loves the fried chicken and the rotisseire.
By Logically Speaking
October 17, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Love the subs at Publix. The Philly sub is AMAZING (beef or turkey)!!!
By Jessica
October 17, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Whole Foods/Harry’s Farmers Market have the best prepared meals. Lots of variety, and you know that with WF and Harry’s there isn’t a lot of crap aka preservatives, pesticides, and stuff I don’t want in my food in there. They beat any other grocery store hands down.
By itsme
October 17, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
We like the chicken (rotisserie and fried), the subs, the salads (potato, macaroni, cole slaw, veggie and fruit), macaroni/cheese, greens and the cut-up fruit. Our Publix once carried veggie lasagne, which was heavenly. Wish they’d bring that back.
By sam walton
October 17, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
walmart has the best roasted chickens and other premade foods for the lowest price and none of it comes from china
By lovelyliz
October 17, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
In a former life, I worked part time in a big chain grocery store and one of the head cashiers warned us on the side that most of the convenience foods, the take out from the salad bar, soups, etc. came straight out of the same cans that were stocking their shelves. Sure it’s convenient, but you are paying someone to microwave or cook something that you are going to have to reheat when you get home anyway.
Some of the take out grocery style is not too bad. I am rather fond of the roast chicken myself, but I always check see if what’s in the deli is also on the shelf. A lot of times it is and it’s always cheaper.
By RJ
October 17, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
I love those rotisserie chickens at Publix. I buy one whenever it looks like I’ll be getting home late from work. I don’t usually buy the sides because they use pork and I don’t eat it, but I will grab a bag of frozen veggies and voila, meal ready in 15 minutes!
By FCM
October 20, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
We don’t do much of the rotisserie chickens…
What I do is get canned chicken and keep it on hand for a pinch. I also get the rice/beans (Zatarains) and smoked sausage for a quick (30 min or less) meal.
Bagged salads were my norm, but I have learned we like the butter and romaine lettuces…so now I just get those.
Last week I cooked whole grain brown rice on Sunday but made double. Then later in the week I added black beans (can-rinsed) and can chicken…some spices and sauces and poof instant dinner in 15 minutes. Put a salad on the side and were done.
Has anyone else noticed they are eating less due to the economy? I made mac & cheese with bacon and peas (bacon was made at breakfast and put aside for the dinner)…added a salad with prepared dressing and crutons to use old bread (whole grain)…paired with a glass of Chard for the adults. We had pleanty, but were so full on a single serving that the mac & cheese will be served later this week.
I noticed I only ate a burger (no sides) and a handful of Pistachios the other night for dinner.
I realized I was only eating half a bacon biscuit at work, so I stopped buying it all together….that’s $15 a week right there.