Is packaged food really more convenient than unpackaged food? Let’s take a look at that oatmeal example. If I buy prepackaged oatmeal, I tear open the sack, dump it in the bowl, pour some water in, and put it in the microwave for a maximum of about one minute of preptime. Pretty convenient. Now, with bulk oatmeal, I throw a scoop of oatmeal in the bowl, a dash of cinnamon, add spoonful of sugar, add water, and stick it in the microwave. Same nutritional value, plus two extra steps- adding the cinnemon and sugar. Total prep time? A minute thirty seconds, for the same nutritional value at half the cost. If I want the little fruit slivers in the oatmeal, I slice a few slivers off of the apple I am eating for a total of 30 more seconds of prep time, which leaves us with two minutes prep time with half the cost. So no, in that specific instance, packaged food is not more convenient.

Also, lets compare something like Jack’s Links beef jerky, to say, an appetizer from Radio Maria. Jacks Links beef jerky costs five dollars for about fifteen bite-sized pieces of jerky, with a total weight of 3 ounces. They taste ok, and are perfect for the student on the go, because all you have to do is rip open the package. You don’t have to cook it, you have it right there, and you don’t have to wash dishes afterwards. Not only that, but it’s about enough for half a meal. At Radio Maria, three large balls of roasted goat cheese on slices of toasted bread costs about $6.00. Granted, you have to wait fifteen minutes for your food to magically appear, but you don’t have to cook it, it comes to you, and you don’t have to wash dishes afterwards. Not only that, but you get twice as much food as the Jack links, (enough for a small meal) and- here is the kicker– it is amazingly delicious. What if you are a busy student, and don’t have time to sit around in a fancy restaurant? Then walk next door, tip the Barista 25 cents so that you don’t feel back about leeching Cafe Kopi’s wifi, walk back, and use your laptop while you wait. If you don’t have a laptop, do your homework.

The problem is one of ignorance- people can eat well and cheaply. It’s just a matter of teaching them how.

I am in complete agreement with your post, however the difference between people like you and me and the rest of the world is that the rest of the world won’t spend the time to make the oatmeal from scratch, chop up some fruit to add in, and sprinkle on some cinnamon. They’re paying for the convenience of instant oatmeal. In this case, I think it is fantastic that the farmer’s market is now accepting food stamps. People who would rather prepare the food instead of spending extra may really be able to take full advantage of the bounty the market has to offer.

Another ref:
Watch ‘Down by Law’ by Jim Jarmusch. At one point the Roberto Benigni character stumbles upon a fellow Italian living in the middle of the swamp who has in her shack…the most beautiful lever-press espresso machine you ever will see.

“To put these assertions through the harsh light of scientific scrutiny, I A/B tested my Pavoni output against a good stainless steel stovetop espresso maker. With everything else held constant I can’t finish a stovetop espresso, but the cappuccinos are actually enjoyable. Milk hides a lot. It’s like stereo, you have to know what you’re missing to want to spend more. Unfortunately, one visit to Italy and you know.”

I can second the “stereo” analogy.