The value of ready-made meals for Holidays: Time vs. cost

In an age where time has become our most precious resource, it's no surprise that the prepared food sector is booming. The holidays of Tishri and Shabbat, which are usually characterized by hectic preparations, have become much more comfortable in recent years thanks to the abundance offered by catering companies and marketing chains. Whether it is ethnic foods or traditional Israeli dishes, the Israeli consumer no longer has to spend hours in the kitchen to serve a sumptuous meal.

The increase in demand for ready-made food does not stem only from laziness or a desire to shorten processes, but mainly from practical needs of time management and saving resources. Recent studies show that the volume of consumption of ready-made food in Israel has grown by about 20% in recent years, mainly around the holidays and Shabbat periods. Many families, especially households with many children or busy ones, prefer to purchase ready meals by weight or packaged to avoid intensive work in the kitchen. This, although the economic cost is sometimes higher than preparing the food at home.

A consumer survey from 2023 found that 40% of families in Israel prefer to buy at least some of their meals as prepared meals during the holidays. This trend is also reflected in sales, when the chains reported a significant increase in sales in this area, especially before the holidays. It is estimated that the prepared food sector generates over a billion shekels a year.

Not only at events

The main question that arises in the discussion about ready-made food is whether it is financially profitable. On the one hand, the price per dish may be significantly higher than the cost of making it at home. On the other hand, when you take into account the savings in time, costs of shopping, depreciation, electricity and gas, the balance may change.

It should also be noted that the prepared food provides a solution for cases where we want to serve diverse foods from different cuisines around the world, without spending hours on cooking. Thus, for example, you can purchase traditional dishes from Moroccan, Yemeni, Persian cuisine and more, and put on the table a colorful selection full of global flavors.

One of the interesting trends that has emerged in recent years is the growing popularity of ethnic foods on the prepared food menu. Traditional foods such as harayma, couscous, kuba or jehanon are no longer reserved only for special family events, but have become easily available in almost every marketing chain. The competition between the sectarian cuisine and the popular Israeli food symbolizes the development of the postcard kibbutz on the prepared food table.

In the end, the Israeli consumer is the one who decides whether the prepared food is indeed worth the investment. On the one hand, it offers time and resource savings, and enables a significant variety of dishes. On the other hand, not everyone is willing to pay the high prices of ready meals.

The choice between self-cooking and prepared food depends on personal preferences, the pace of life, and an understanding of the total costs. While some consumers will continue to stick to traditional cooking, many others have already turned prepared food into the ultimate solution for holiday and Shabbat meals - a solution that saves time, prevents a mess in the kitchen, and guarantees a table full of diverse flavors without having to invest hours of work.

Move to the fridge

The development of the prepared food sector did not stop only at the food stalls in shopping malls or food markets, but expanded to the refrigerators and freezers of supermarkets. The offer includes everything from simple hot dishes such as "hot dish" from Assem to high-quality ready-made meals from Beit Tnuva, which include a variety of dishes that suit every taste.

Categories such as frozen schnitzels, ready-made meatballs, and even pizzas in the freezer have become popular solutions for quick meals, providing an easy and convenient solution for busy parents, students, and even families looking for a quick and nutritious alternative to family meals.

In chains such as Half Free and Yochananoff, the prepared food sector has undergone another level of professionalism. What started as a quick solution has today become a field in itself, when the variety and quality offered by these chains continue to develop and meet the different needs of the Israeli consumer. It is no longer just a simple hot meal, but gourmet dishes sold by weight or prepackaged, traditional dishes and healthy and contemporary dishes.

The increase in demand for ready-made food also brings innovation in the field. Today it is possible to find almost any type of food in a frozen or chilled state, which allows consumers to heat and serve a meal quickly - and at the same time easily upgrade it with homemade additions that give it a personal twist. For example, you can add spices, special sauces, or fresh vegetables to a ready-made meal, thus turning it into a homemade meal in minutes.

This field, which started as a simple solution for busy people, has become one of the fastest growing segments in the food world, and it can be expected that in the coming years we will see even more creative solutions that will continue to make our daily lives easier without sacrificing quality or taste.

The favorite and most common dish in Israel is the classic schnitzel, followed by the chickens, and during the holidays roast beef is the star on the luxurious holiday tables. But how much is it worth to us the time, the pressure and the pursuit of groceries in supermarkets? We checked the costs of our favorite dishes. If we buy the ingredients to make crispy schnitzel at home, it will cost us like this:

A bottle of canola oil - about NIS 9.

A bag of bread crumbs (350 grams) - about NIS 9.  

A kg of fresh sliced chicken breast - about NIS 45 per kg.

That is, the total cost of the ingredients to prepare a kg of Schnitzel will be about NIS 63.

On the other hand, if we choose the frozen version of "Mama Chicken - Real Schnitzel", we will pay about NIS 60 per kg. We checked Yochananof chains for half-free, and the price of a kg of crispy chicken schnitzel in the prepared food department is NIS 69.90 per kg.

Here The question arises: Does the difference of about 10% between self-preparation and the ready-made product justify the time and effort, and does the frozen schnitzel offer a price advantage?

The ratio is also similar in the roast beef and chicken products, but not everything is gold: The significant price difference is actually in the toppings. A kilogram of ready rice costs about 35 shekels, while a kilogram of dry rice costs about ten shekels. The ratio is also similar in potatoes in the oven. For example, for a kilogram of Tapugan potatoes ready for the oven, we will pay about NIS 30 per kilogram.

In conclusion, the dilemma between self-preparation and ready-made food is not simple, and perhaps the most cost-effective solution is to prepare the side dishes ourselves and buy the main dishes ready-made - and thus arrive at a festive and particularly cost-effective table.

The prepared food sector in Israel is constantly on the rise, and it reflects the changes in Israelis' consumption patterns. With all the advantages and disadvantages, it seems that prepared food has become a perfect answer for those looking for convenience and time saving - even if sometimes at a high economic price.