FOOD PURCHASING
Meaning of Food Purchasing
Food purchasing is the act of buying food items needed for the family’s daily meals. It involves selecting, budgeting, and deciding on the type, quality, and quantity of food to buy.
It is a very important part of home management because it affects:
- Family health and nutrition.
- Satisfaction in meals.
- Efficient use of money and resources.
Importance of Food Purchasing
- Ensures healthy living – provides balanced meals.
- Helps in budgeting – prevents waste and overspending.
- Saves time and energy – makes shopping easier with planning.
- Guarantees food safety – ensures freshness and hygiene.
- Provides variety – different foods for balanced diet.
- Promotes wise resource management – efficient use of money, time, and energy.
Types of Foods to Purchase
- Perishable foods – spoil quickly (meat, fish, milk, fruits, vegetables).
- Non-perishable foods – last longer when stored properly (rice, beans, flour, sugar, salt, canned foods).
Risk Factors in Purchasing Foods
When buying food, there are risks that can affectb quality, safety, and value:
- Buying stale or spoilt food.
- Food contamination – exposure to dirt, germs, or chemicals.
- Buying adulterated foods – harmful substances mixed in (e.g., coloured palm oil, infested grains).
- Impulse buying – buying unnecessary items.
- Overpaying for food – not comparing prices.
- Buying out-of-season food – expensive and sometimes poor quality.
- Insufficient storage – leads to spoilage.
- Buying expired packaged food.
Factors to Consider When Buying Foods
- Money available (Budget).
- Quality of food – freshness, cleanliness, nutrition.
- Quantity needed – family size and storage.
- Nutritional needs – supply all six classes of nutrients.
- Season – cheaper and better quality in season.
- Storage facilities at home – fridge, freezer, dry storage.
- Family preference – taste and likes.
- Price comparison – get the best value.
- Time available – daily, weekly, or monthly purchases.
- Safety – avoid contaminated or adulterated foods.
Wise Buying Practices
To purchase food wisely:
- Make a shopping list before going to the market.
- Plan within a budget – avoid overspending.
- Avoid impulse buying – buy only what is needed.
- Buy perishable foods in small quantities.
- Buy non-perishable foods in bulk when cheaper.
- Check quality carefully – freshness, expiry dates, damages.
- Compare prices from different sellers.
- Buy foods in season – better quality and cheaper.
- Patronize clean and honest sellers.
- Balance quantity and quality.
Where to Purchase Food
- Local/Traditional markets – open-air, fresh food.
- Supermarkets/Stores – packaged and processed foods.
- Farm gates – directly from farmers, fresher and cheaper.
- Roadside vendors/hawkers – small-scale sellers, check hygiene.
Common Mistakes in Food Purchasing
- Buying without a shopping list.
- Impulse buying.
- Prioritizing quantity over quality.
- Buying perishable food in excess without storage.
- Ignoring expiry dates.
Revision Questions
- Define food purchasing and explain its importance to the family.
- List three risk factors to consider when buying food and explain why each is important.
- Identify five factors to consider before purchasing food.
- Differentiate between perishable and non-perishable foods, giving two examples of each.
- Explain at least four wise buying practices that can help prevent food spoilage and waste.
- A family wants to buy vegetables for the week. Suggest steps they should take to ensure they buy fresh, safe, and affordable vegetables.
