Food & Drink

Baked beans lead the way as the favourite kitchen staple in Wales but items once found in grandparents’ cupboards are dying out

New research has revealed that baked beans lead the way as the favourite cupboard staple in Wales, with a tin found in a huge 77% of households.

Published

2 months ago

28th September 2023

Editor

Following closely behind as key staples in Wales, pasta (75%), rice (73%), chopped tomatoes (66%), and tinned soup (64%) top the list.

However, the research revealed that British cupboard essentials are changing – with balsamic replacing bovril as the nations tastes change.

One in three homes now have a bottle of soy sauce front and centre and 25% consider balsamic vinegar an essential. Corned beef, Bovril and SPAM are things people would only find in their parent’s or grandparent’s cupboards these days.

For weekday meals in Wales 40% of households enjoy a classic spaghetti bolognese, while 35% opt for the timeless simplicity of beans on toast. Other popular choices include pasta bake (29%), curry (29%), and chilli con carne (19%).

When it comes to food waste over half of Welsh households (51%) strongly agree that they are more likely to save food as leftovers rather than discard it, with 81% stating that they hate to see food go to waste.

Additionally, 46% attribute their thrifty approach to the rising cost of food, while 37% cite concerns related to the cost of living crisis.

When it comes to sorting out their kitchen cupboards 12% can’t remember when the last time they cleaned was and 15% admit to having more than 11 expired items lurking around.

The study of 2,000 adults was commissioned by SPAR to launch its Giving One Million Meals project with FareShare. By donating £250,000, with contributions from Coco-Cola and Robinsons, for every £1 given, FareShare can redistribute enough food for the equivalent of four meals to people in need across the UK.

Suzanne Dover, Brand & Marketing Director from community retailer SPAR UK said: “We understand how important it is to have the cupboard essentials you need to hand and it’s really interesting to see how our essentials have changed over the years and which are still our firm favourites.

Polly Bianchi, director of fundraising at FareShare added: “The Giving One Million Meals donation will make a significant contribution to our work getting good-to-eat food, which might otherwise go to waste, to people who need it.

“As the winter months approach, our network of 8,500 charities across the UK will be working hard to provide hearty, nourishing meals for people in their communities.

“Each group provides vital wraparound services to support people impacted by the cost of living crisis and the contribution made by SPAR will go a long way to strengthening those communities.”

Suzanne Dover added: “We believe in supporting the communities we serve, and this partnership means that people won’t have to go without the staples we all use each day.”