New technology and initiatives

• What are meal kits?

  Meal kits are designed to allow you to pick meals on an app, delivered straight to your door and provide all the ingredients needed to make each dish. e.g Hello Fresh
• What are the advantages of meal kits?

  • dietary preferences - most meal kits cater for different dietary habits e.g vegetarian
  • fresh food - meal kits contain fresh ingredients
  • meal kits come with nutritional information
  • less food wastage - come in perfect portions
  • meals planned a week in advance - good for people with busy lives
• What are the disadvantages of meal kits?

  • household needs suitable storage e.g fridge
  • need to have access to the internet and have a suitable device to order
  • increased costs - meal kits may be more expensive than buying ingredients yourself
  • most kits delivered in boxes with ingredients in individual packaging - if not recycled can impact environment
• What are the advantages of fast food delivery?

  • time saving - do not have to plan meals and then go and buy the ingredients
  • convenience - food is delivered straight to your door already cooked and ready to eat
  • fast food delivery can offer a range of foods e.g pizza, pasta, fish and chips
• What are the disadvantages of fast food delivery?

  • many fast food options are high in fat, salt and sugar
  • food waste - some people may order in excess
  • environmental impact - lots of packaging used and then cannot be recycled e.g pizza boxes
• What are the advantages of using social media/tv advertising/ promotions?

  • quick and easy to use
• What are the disadvantages of using social media/tv advertising/ promotions?

  • develops 'fads' and short-lived trends
  • could end up with excess ingredients - leads to waste
• What are the advantages of using click and collect?

  • no need to physically go shopping
  • saves time, less effort
  • do not have to travel
• What are the disadvantages of using click and collect?

  • foods are chosen by the personal shopper - not your choice
  • some products chosen may have a short shelf life
• What are the advantages of using mobile devices?

  • easy - sit at home and order whatever on the screen
  • app vouchers often offer money off deals
  • can help to remember ingredients
• What are the disadvantages of mobile devices?

  • potential scams
  • cookies collecting data
  • being encouraged to spend money on unneccessary things
• What are the advantages of using new equipment?

  e.g air fryers

  • healthier - less oils added etc
  • makes complete meals in one piece of equipment
  • quicker than using the oven
• What are the disadvantages of using new technology?

  • rising cost of electricity
  • potential for 'fad' trends that soon become obsolete and unused
• What is the sugar tax?


  • in 2018, the government introduced the 'sugar tax' to reduce sugar in soft drinks and tackle childhood obesity
  • manufacturers have to pay higher costs on drinks with higher sugar content
  • meaning they either have to increase their prices or reduce their sugar content
  • sweets and chocolate are also subject to 20% VAT