Food is an essential part of human life and contributes to growth, energy, and overall health. In society, food items can be classified into main meals and snacks, and beverages are important for hydration and nutrition. Knowledge of food preparation, packaging, and marketing ensures food safety, hygiene, customer satisfaction, and profitable business practices.

Definition: Food preparation, packaging, and marketing is the process of making food ready for consumption, ensuring it is safely packaged, and promoting it for sale to meet consumer needs.

• Preparation involves selecting ingredients, cooking, and presenting food properly.


• Packaging protects food from contamination, preserves quality, and enhances attractiveness.


• Marketing ensures food products reach consumers and satisfy their needs while generating profit.

• Snacks are light foods eaten between main meals.


• Main meals are substantial meals eaten at regular times (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

	Aspect	Snacks	Main Meals
1	Weight	Light	Heavy
2	Nutritional Value	Often lacks balance	Balanced with carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals
3	Consumption Time	Between main meals	During breakfast, lunch, or dinner
4	Preparation Time	Quick	Longer
5	Serving Occasion	Casual or on-the-go	Formal or structured

• Snacks: Chin-chin, puff-puff, doughnuts, buns


• Main Meals: Jollof rice, fried rice, pounded yam with egusi soup

1. Undergoing regular medical checks at approved centers.


2. Using clean utensils and food preparation equipment.


3. Maintaining personal hygiene, such as wearing clean clothes and covering hair.


4. Ensuring that food is safe and free from contamination.


5. Handling customer complaints professionally.

Understand the steps involved in preparing food for packaging to ensure safety and quality.

A. Doughnut

1. Mix flour, sugar, and yeast.


2. Add eggs, milk, and butter.


3. Knead dough until smooth.


4. Allow dough to rise (fermentation).


5. Shape and cut.


6. Deep-fry until golden brown.


7. Cool and serve or package.

B. Chin-Chin

1. Mix flour, sugar, nutmeg.


2. Add butter, eggs, and milk.


3. Knead dough and roll thin.


4. Cut into shapes.


5. Deep-fry until golden.


6. Cool and package.

C. Puff-Puff

1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.


2. Add water to form batter.


3. Ferment for 1–2 hours.


4. Drop batter into hot oil.


5. Fry until golden brown.


6. Drain, cool, and serve or package.

Definition: The process of making beverages ready for consumption or sale.

A. Sobo

1. Wash hibiscus leaves.


2. Boil in water.


3. Add pineapple or ginger flavor.


4. Sweeten with sugar.


5. Strain, cool, and serve or bottle.

B. Zobo

1. Wash hibiscus flowers.


2. Boil for 20–30 minutes.


3. Add ginger and cloves.


4. Sweeten with sugar and pineapple juice.


5. Strain, cool, and serve.

C. Watermelon Juice

1. Remove rind and seeds.


2. Blend flesh with water.


3. Sweeten with sugar.


4. Serve chilled or over ice.

Definition: The process of making substantial, nutritious meals for consumption.

A. Jollof Rice

1. Wash rice.


2. Blend tomatoes, peppers, onions.


3. Fry sauce in oil.


4. Add rice and water, cook until done.


5. Serve with fried plantain or meat.

B. Pounded Yam with Egusi Soup

1. Peel and boil yam.


2. Pound to smooth consistency.


3. Grind melon seeds, fry with palm oil, add vegetables and seasoning.


4. Serve with pounded yam.

Definition: The process of preparing food in a way that it can be safely stored, transported, and sold.

1. Cook food thoroughly.


2. Cool quickly to prevent bacterial growth.


3. Cut or slice into portions.


4. Add spices or flavorings.


5. Blanch vegetables to preserve color.


6. Store in clean, food-grade containers.

Packaging of Food Items is the process of Placing food in containers or wrapping to protect, preserve, and present it for sale.

• Prevents contamination


• Preserves quality


• Makes food easy to handle


• Attracts consumers

• Use safe, suitable packaging materials.


• Seal and label with ingredients and expiry date.


• Comply with regulatory authorities.

Marketing of Food Items are Activities that promote, sell, and distribute food products to consumers.

1. Product: Ensure high quality


2. Price: Set competitive and fair prices


3. Place: Make products available conveniently


4. Promotion: Advertise using posters, social media, or word of mouth


5. Branding: Develop a unique identity


6. Customer Feedback: Improve products using feedback


7. Sales Channels: Use markets, shops, and online platforms