In an era where time has become our most valuable resource, it's no surprise that the ready-made food sector is booming. Tishrei Holidays and Shabbats, typically characterized by frantic preparations, have become much more manageable in recent years thanks to the abundance offered by catering companies and supermarkets. Whether it’s ethnic foods or traditional Israeli dishes, Israeli consumers no longer have to spend hours in the kitchen to serve a lavish meal.
The rise in demand for ready-made food isn’t just due to laziness or a desire to cut corners, but mainly from practical needs like time management and resource savings. Recent studies show that consumption of ready-made food in Israel has grown by about 20% in recent years, particularly around holidays and Shabbat.
Many families, especially those with several children or busy schedules, prefer to purchase ready-made meals by weight or pre-packaged to avoid the intensive effort in the kitchen. This, despite the fact that the financial cost is sometimes higher than preparing the food at home.
A 2023 consumer survey found that 40% of families in Israel prefer to buy at least part of their meals as ready-made during the holidays. This trend is reflected in sales, with retailers reporting a significant increase in this area, especially leading up to the holidays. It’s estimated that the ready-made food market generates over NIS 1B annually.
Not Just for Special Events
The central question in the discussion of ready-made food is whether it’s financially worthwhile. On one hand, the price per dish may be significantly higher than making it at home. On the other hand, when factoring in time saved, as well as costs of groceries, waste, electricity, and gas, the balance may shift.
It’s also worth noting that ready-made food provides a solution when we want to serve a variety of dishes from different cuisines around the world without spending hours cooking. For example, one can buy traditional dishes from Moroccan, Yemenite, Persian, and other kitchens, presenting a colorful array of global flavors at the table.
One interesting trend in recent years is the growing popularity of ethnic foods in the ready-made food menu. Traditional dishes like chraime, couscous, kubeh, or jachnun are no longer reserved for special family events but are easily available in nearly every supermarket. The competition between ethnic kitchens and common Israeli dishes signifies the evolution of the “melting pot” on the ready-made food table.
In the end, the Israeli consumer decides whether ready-made food is worth the investment. On one hand, it offers time and resource savings and allows for significant menu variety. On the other hand, not everyone is willing to pay the high prices for ready-made dishes.
The choice between self-cooking and ready-made food depends on personal preferences, lifestyle pace, and an understanding of the overall costs. While some consumers will continue to stick to traditional cooking, many others have already turned to ready-made food as the ultimate solution for holiday and Shabbat meals – a solution that saves time, prevents kitchen mess, and guarantees a table full of diverse flavors without hours of hard work.
Moving to the Refrigerator
The development of the ready-made food sector hasn’t stopped at food stalls in malls or food markets but has expanded to the refrigerators and freezers of supermarkets. The selection ranges from simple hot meals like Osem's Mana Chama ("Instant Meal") to high-quality ready-made meals from Tnuva, offering a variety of dishes to suit every taste.
Categories like frozen schnitzels, prepared meatballs, and even frozen pizzas have become popular solutions for quick meals, providing an easy and convenient option for busy parents, students, and even families looking for a quick and nutritious alternative to family dinners.
In chains like Chatzi Chinam and Yohananof, the ready-made food sector has reached a new level of professionalism. What started as a quick solution has become an industry of its own, with the variety and quality offered by these chains continuing to grow and meet the different needs of Israeli consumers. It's no longer just about a simple hot meal but gourmet dishes sold by weight or pre-packaged, traditional meals, and healthy, contemporary options.
The growing demand for ready-made food is also driving innovation in the field. Today, you can find nearly every type of food in frozen or refrigerated form, allowing consumers to heat and serve a meal quickly – while easily upgrading 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, turning it into a homemade dish in minutes.
This field, which began as a simple solution for busy people, has become one of the fastest-growing segments in the food world, and we can expect to see even more creative solutions in the coming years that will continue to simplify our daily lives without compromising on quality or taste.
The Schnitzel Test
The most beloved and common dish in Israel is the classic schnitzel, followed by chicken thighs, with beef roast taking center stage on fancy holiday tables during the holidays. But how much is our time, stress, and the race for ingredients in the supermarket worth? We checked the costs of our favorite dishes. If we buy the ingredients to prepare crispy schnitzels at home, it will cost us the following:
- Bottle of canola oil: About NIS 9.
- Bag of breadcrumbs (350 grams): About NIS 9.
- 1 kg of fresh sliced chicken breast: About NIS 45 per kg.
Thus, the total cost of ingredients to prepare 1 kg of schnitzels will be about NIS 63.
On the other hand, if we opt for the frozen version of Mama Of - Real Schnitzel, we will pay around NIS 60 per kg. We checked in the Yohananof and Chatzi Chinam chains, and the price for 1 kg of crispy chicken schnitzel in the ready-made food section is NIS 69.90 per kg. The question arises: Is the 10% difference between self-preparation and the ready-made product worth the time and effort, and does the frozen schnitzel offer a price advantage?
The Big Difference: In the Side Dishes
The ratio is similar for beef roasts and chicken thighs, but not everything is golden: The significant price difference is in the side dishes. Prepared rice costs about NIS 35 per kg, while 1 kg of dry rice costs around NIS 10. The same ratio applies to oven-baked potatoes. For example, 1 kg of ready-made oven potatoes from Tapugan costs about NIS 30 per kg.
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 courses ready – this way, you get a festive and affordable table.
The ready-made food sector in Israel is on a steady rise, reflecting changes in the consumption habits of Israelis. With all its pros and cons, it seems that ready-made food has become the perfect answer for those looking for convenience and time savings – even if sometimes at a higher economic price.