PURCHASING, PROCESSING, PRESERVATION AND SAFETY

SUB-TOPIC:         Perishable and non-perishable foods

Meaning of food purchasing

Food purchasing is the process of buying foodstuff for the consumption of family members for it to be readily available at all times or when needed.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING FOODS

•         Size of the family

•         Nutritional needs of family members, likes and dislikes

•         Food preservation and storage facilities available to the family

•         Quality of food

•         Food in season

•         Money available

•         Buy non-perishable foods in bulk and store properly

•         Purchase vegetables and fruits as and when needed if possible

•         Buy where foodstuff is best and cheapest

•         Avoid waste by purchasing just the foods the family will eat.

WISE BUYING PRACTICES

•         Make a good shopping list

•         Keep to the shopping list when buying

•         Ensure that there are adequate storage facilities for the foodstuff to be purchased.

•         Buy foods that are in season

•         Judge the quality of food before buying

•         Judge values of food before buying

•         Check the measurement e.g. cups and scales when buying foods such as grains, pulses, and gari

•         Read labels on food containers such as canned foods, bottles fats, and oil, etc. Check for expiry dates, NAFDAC No, weight, volume, food content, etc.

•         Make bulk purchases whenever possible

•         Compare values and prices in different stores

IMPORTANCE OF BUYING GOOD QUALITY FOODSTUFFS

•         Good quality foodstuffs are fresh and wholesome

•         Their nutrient content is still intact

•         They keep well in storage

•         They are not yet attacked by food spoilage organisms

•         They are appetizing and taste good

•         They are economical because there is little or no wastage. This is because they are still fresh

•         They have a good appearance e.g. fresh fruits.

PERISHABLE AND NON-PERISHABLE FOODS

Perishable foods are those foods that can spoil easily. Examples of perishable foods are fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, milk, and butter.

HINTS ON STORAGE OF PERISHABLE FOODS

•         Fresh meat and fish can be stored in the freezer.

•         Fruits and vegetables can be stored at the lowest part of the refrigerator

•         Prolonged storage of fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator can cause some of them to lose their taste, colours, and nutritive values.

NON-PERISHABLE FOODS

Non-perishable foods are those foods that do not spoil easily. These can be kept for a long time if stored properly. Non-perishable foods include rice, maize, different types of beans, flour, sugar, yam, and dried maize. These foods can be bought in bulk and stored outside the refrigerator. 

HINTS ON STORAGE OF NON-PERISHABLE FOODS

•         Store only foods that are free from weevils and other insects.

•         Store food in dry and well-covered containers.

•         Foods such as beans, maize, soya beans, etc. can be stored for very long periods in air-tight plastic containers.

Evaluation:

•          state 3 points to consider when storing non-perishable foods

•         State the factors to consider when buying foods

•         Outline five wise buying practices and five importance of buying good quality foods.