Poll: More Americans Preparing Meals at Home

NEW YORKWhile 79% of Americans enjoy cooking at home, only 30% say they love cooking, according to a recent Harris Interactive Poll that examined the nations attitude toward cooking and the frequency in which Americans prepare foods at home. The survey of more than 2,500 adults also revealed that 21% of Americans do not enjoy cooking or cook at all.

According to the poll, many consumers are opting to cook at home to save money. In fact, 41% prepare meals at home five or more times a week; 29% cook at home three to four times a week; 19% prepare meals at home one to two times a week; and 11% rarely or never prepare meals at home.

Seventy-five percent of those who prepare meals at home very often or occasionally use pre-prepped and/or frozen ingredients.

The poll also revealed a generational difference in frequency of preparing meals at home. More than 52% of Matures (aged 65 and older) cook at home five or more times per week, while 33% of Echo Boomers (aged 18-33) cook at home five or more times per week. Certain groups prefer cooking over others. For example, 33% of Matures love cooking, compared to 28% of Baby Boomers (aged 46-64), who are possibly being pulled in many directions. The poll also found that 32% of men are more likely to say they love cooking versus 28% of women.