ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that the factors that influence cost of food items and compares cost per unit of various food items. It identifies types of information available to the consumer in marketplace and presents the uses of different food qualities for specific purposes. The chapter also presents the use food label information as a buying guide and explores the many considerations involved in choosing a "best food buy" for an individual or family. It provides exercises to illustrate some factors that affect the economy of food and food decisions. The exercises may be completed in the laboratory, as a class at a grocery store, or independently. The chapter examines several ready-to-eat and packaged mixes of convenience foods. Compare cost per serving of convenience foods to the same product prepared from scratch. The chapter summarizes the diverse factors that influence food prices. Based on comparisons of various food products, list major factors a consumer might consider in selecting good money buys.
