As Gas Prices Rise, So Do Cookbooks Sales
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA 
on 09.22.08
Image source: Poor Richard's Books
We reported last year on the Post-Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook, and it seems we weren't far off as cookbooks of all shapes and sizes are flying off bookstore shelves, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.
Eating out three meals can cost an average of $30 a day. Times five days a week thats $150, times four weeks, thats a minimum of $600 just on food. While magazine sales are declining, websites and articles on cheap, homemade meals are very popular. An independent research study said that this year 45% of Americans are eating out less in order to save money.
Cookware Sales Rising, Too
Even cookware sales of items under $100 are on the rise as people realize they don't have basic cooking instruments after a lifetime of take-out boxes and restaurant meals. Bon Appetit magazine reports that its had a 39% increase in sales this year. Borders and Amazon both report double digit increases in cookbook sales, particularly comfort foods.
Who is Losing Out?
The Downside: "Casual-dining restaurant chains" are taking a hit, as people will still visit the nicer restaurants once in awhile, but are less likely to eat at the daily dinner spots. Local farmers may also take a hit as people report that they are more likely to choose the frozen (cheaper) vegetables rather than fresh vegetables which are more expensive and don't last as long. The USDA reported that food prices are expected to rise 4% this year, after a 4% rise in food last year which was the highest in 17 years.
So aside from people walking more, biking more, taking more public transportation, saving energy, we can now add eating home-cooked (possibly) healthier meals more often to the list of positives that have come from rising fuel prices.
Has the rise in gas prices changed your cooking habits? Are you cooking in more, or even becoming vegetarian/vegan in order to save money? Found any great cookbooks offering cheap, but healthy meals? We'd like to hear about your experiences.
More on Changing Diets
In the Kitchen with Alice Waters
Recovering from Thanksgiving: Cookbook Choices
How to Green Your Kitchen
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The eating habits of our household (my husband and I, not including the cat) have definately changed a bit with the economy. I had already started reducing the amount of meat that I cooked with and adding in more vegetarian meals, but I have gone a bit further with it and am adapting recipes as far as meat content. I've found that by doing so gradually, even my big meat eating lumberjack wannabe husband doesn't mind.
I've also been trying to cut down on meat. Difficult with a husband who really loves it, but I think it's for the best.
Fortunately, we've never tended to eat out much.
We're becoming low fat/vegetarian, but I think it's just that phase in our life. Me and my GF have biked everywhere since before fuel was expensive. I want to be kinder to my heart, since it's saved me so much in gas! Biking really makes you appreciate how important it is.
I think my next purchase will be one of those oil sprayers. I'll save money, propellant, and packaging by buying oil in bulk, and I'll use less when cooking for healthier meals. I'll also go through oil slower. It's win^4!
My wife and I only eat out when it's a special occasion, or when we travel, so the oil crisis has not made any difference at all.
This is not a sacrifice, we just prefer it at home, don't understand what the big appeal is in going out to eat. Maybe we're freaks? I don't care.
I make a living selling gourmet foods. The economy has definetly hurt sales, however, articles such as these and the fact that so many people buy into organic propaganda helps me have hope for this ever growing market. I'm an optimist. Yet, food should have never been made into fuel driving the price of both up, and congress couldve taken steps to keep fuel prices down two years ago.
I wrote a cookbook this summer on solar cooking. Almost all the recipes are extremely healthy and use low fat, high fiber foods. With solar cooking, you only have to buy or build an oven once, and the rest is free.
If you love fresh, healthy, great tasting food cooked in a way that's about as green as it gets, check it out. The name of the book is Heaven Sent Food. Solar cooking is the best way to cook, bar none.
This is bizarre. As someone who's single, it's definitely a lot cheaper, not the mention easier, to eat out for every meal. I'm amazed people can actually save money by cooking themselves!
What's the point of the kitchen anyway? I should just turn it into another bedroom and rent it out.