Lunchtime Starts to Pack a Costly Punch for Parents Says Savoo - Pack Lunches for Kids Increase by 17 Per Cent in Two Years

LONDON, September 29, 2011 -

The cost of creating an average packed lunch for schoolchildren has increased by 17 per cent in just two years, new research from leading discount voucher codes website www.savoo.co.uk, in association with mySupermarket.com reveals.

The research, taken from data provided by mySupermarket.com, shows that since August 2009 the cost of everyday kid’s lunch-box staples such as bread, cheese spread, crisps, chocolate, fruit and a drink have increased on average by 17 per cent, a massive 12.5 per cent ahead of the official Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation, which in August stood at 4.5 per cent.

The research shows that an average lunch box shopping basket cost £8.25 in September 2009, but the same products today would cost you £9.65.

Commenting on the findings Ed Fleming, Head of PR and Partnerships at Savoo.co.uk says;

“It is getting more and more expensive to feed children packed lunches this school term. Items such as bread, drinks, fruit and chocolate have all gone up - staples of children’s lunch boxes for generations.

“With such high price increases in recent years and the much publicised moves by campaigners such as Jamie Oliver to improve the health and nutritional value of the food served, maybe more parents will now consider paying for school dinners for their children instead of opting for packed lunches.”

While packed lunch prices have increased 17 per cent since 2009, figures from Which? have shown that school dinner prices this new Autumn term have increased by 2.5 per cent on average, though some councils are making bigger increases in a bid to save other educational services.

The School Food Trust claimed last year that take-up of school dinners in primary schools was 44.1 per cent in 2010-11, and 35.8 per cent in secondary schools. School dinners cost on average £2 per day, equating to £10 per week. The Savoo shopping basket of goods at £9.65 would do well to feed a school child every day for a week.

“Shopping around for the best deals in store as well as taking advantage of numerous online offers and discount vouchers at websites such as Savoo.co.uk for items such drinks, yogurts, chocolates and crisps, although often only offering fairly small savings on their own, when added together can make a real difference to weekly shopping bills.”

“Lunch-box Inflation or LBI, is currently 12.5 per cent ahead of official CPI inflationary figures and stands at a whopping 17.5 per cent. While the Consumer Price Index is a good general indicator of where inflation is for the nation as a whole, we suspect that most Mums and Dads across the country will be experiencing inflation rates more in line with our lunch-box inflation figures.”

Notes:

The Savoo Shopping Basket Included:

Prices quoted in the release take the price comparison between August 2009 and August 2011 on the products below in Tesco stores. Source: mySupermarket.com

Cadbury Curly Wurly (26g). Price on 13^th Sept, 2009: £0.22; price 5^th September, 2011: £0.27.

Kingsmill Great Everyday Thick Sliced Soft White Bread (800g). Price on 13^th Sept, 2009: £1.10; price 5^th September, 2011: £1.20.

Walkers Baked Ready Salted (6×25g). Price on 13^th September, 2009: £1.36; price on 5^th September 2011; £1.62

Petits Filous Fruity Smooth Yogurt (4×100g). Price 13^th September 2009; £1.45; price on 13^th September, 2011: £1.50

Dairylea Cheese Spread (160g). Price on 13^th September 2009; £1.11. Price on 13^th September 2011: £1.40

Robinsons Fruit Shoot H20 Blackcurrant (4×250ml). Price on 13^th September, 2009; £1.72. Price 13^th September, 2011; £2.29.  

Tesco Fairtrade Bananas - Pack. Price on 13^th September, 2009; £1.29. Price on 13^th September, 2011: £1.37.

About Savoo

Savoo www.savoo.co.uk  prides itself on being the only UK voucher code and deal finder site which never knowingly lists expired vouchers or offer codes. Also, the best deal of each of their consumer categories is presented prominently using its unique algorithm which ensures that the best deals always rise to the top.  Savoo has a dedicated team of researchers whose sole responsibility it is to find the best deals available 24 hours a day, and provide rigorous quality control. 

Savoo’s goal is to offer its customers the easiest and most powerful way to find, prioritise and distribute the best deals and information to help its users make intelligent decisions with their money.  They extensively leverage technology, automation, community and elegant design to provide the most useful experience in a fun and rewarding way.

Savoo launched in March 2009 and was created to address the frustration of generally which is a poor consumer experience from other discount and voucher sites.  Savoo has been determined from the outset to build a more comprehensive Internet destination where users can find deals that suit them in a manner that’s convenient to them. Savoo is the sister site of the highly successful US coupon and deal giant Savings.com www.Savings.com

About mySupermarket

mySupermarket is a grocery shopping and comparison site that allows you to compare and shop from four supermarkets in one central place. Our aim is to help you get the best possible price for your supermarket trolley while enjoying an easier and more consumer-friendly shopping experience.

We are 100% independent from the four supermarkets featured on the site. None of the supermarkets or product manufacturers own a stake in the company. When comparing between supermarkets, our only agenda is ensuring that our shoppers get the best value possible.

Ed Fleming, Email efleming at savoo.co.uk, Tel +44(0)20-3005-7504.