All I did was pop it in the microwave, add some vegetables, and it was as if I had simmered it on the stove for four hours. Time is a precious commodity. Anything consumers can do to save time will be marketable as long as it is a quality food product and tastes good. Other factors are health and freshness. People are frying less, broiling more, and using less salt.
Prepared salad is a big item in supermarkets.
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables are among the fastest growing sectors in the supermarket. It will probably never overtake traditionally grown and produced food products, but it is a growing trend. Baby boomers are also looking at the food they eat as a means to staying young. Nutritionists are increasingly recognizing health attributes in fresh foods like broccoli, cauliflower, and blueberries to help prevent cancer. Soy-based foods are seen as reducing cholesterol.