Iceland, the supermarket chain, is calling on people to ditch their lunchtime meal deals and embrace packed lunches, claiming potential savings of up to £800 a year. The call comes after supermarkets across the board have hiked the price of their meal deals, leading to a significant increase in the cost of a five-day working week’s lunches – potentially reaching £975 per year.
Iceland’s calculations have revealed that meal deal lovers are massively overpaying for their lunchtime meals. The supermarket has analyzed the cost of staple meal deal ingredients, including bread, a filling, crisps, and a drink, and found that they can be purchased for as little as £1.63 per day, equating to £8.13 per week and £422.76 per year. This means lunchtime enthusiasts could save a significant £552.24 per year by switching to packed lunches.
The savings are even more pronounced when comparing packed lunches to the higher-priced meal deals offered by supermarkets like Waitrose, which charges £5 per meal deal, or £1,300 per year. In this case, switching to packed lunches could save you just short of £900 a year.
Richard Walker, executive chairman at Iceland Foods, stated: “Supermarkets across the board are putting up their meal deal prices, and we’ve had enough, we’re calling on Brits to join the lunchtime revolution. It’s time for the return of the classic packed lunch and by doing so customers can save hundreds of pounds.”
Iceland has even provided a sample shopping list, using products from its £1 range, that demonstrates how to create a budget-friendly packed lunch. The list includes items like thick-sliced wholemeal bread, cheesy singles, cooked ham, lettuce, cucumber, wafer thin ham, cooked chicken breast, a drink, and a small packet of crisps.
Those who choose to switch to packed lunches will also have a wide array of filling options available, including tuna and chicken, as well as the option to add additional condiments or alternative drinks, all for a cost lower than any supermarket meal deal.
It’s a call for a return to the classic packed lunch, offering a significant opportunity to save money and enjoy a fulfilling lunch without breaking the bank.
