293. Money Cost

We can now consider intelligently the cost of breakfast foods, for this is practically the only question the housewife needs to raise. The pound cost of such foods varies greatly, ranging from four cents to approximately 25 cents. In 1908 the average cost in a New England market for the various classes was as follows, when purchased in packages: -

Table LVII. Maximum, Minimum, And Average Cost Per Pound of Wheat, Oat, And Corn Breakfast Foods Purchased In Packages

TABLE LVII

Maximum, Minimum, and Average Cost per Pound of Wheat, Oat, and Corn Breakfast Foods Purchased in Packages l

Number or Samples

Kind or Cereal

Price per Pound

Maximum

Minimum

Average

Cents

Cents

Cents

24

Wheat . .

11.4

4.9

7.8

17

Oats. . .

7.8

4.1

6.0

10

Corn. . .

9.2

4.1

5.5

By use of the foregoing figures it is easy to calculate the nutrition that could be bought for one dollar.2

Table LVIII. Nutrition Purchased For One Dollar

TABLE LVIII

Nutrition Purchased for One Dollar

Average

Cost per

Pound

Number of Pounds for One Dollar

Protein

Fat

Carbohydrates

Ash

Heat of Combustion

Cents

Lb.

Lb.

Lb.

Lb.

Cal.

Rolled wheat . . .

7.8

12.8

1.54

0.24

9.57

0.18

40.3

Rolled oats . . .

6.0

16.7

2.79

0.90

11.64

0.30

72.0

Hominy.....

5.5

18.2 28.6

1.56 3.98

0.13 0.40

14.50 20.82

0.05 0.14

70.2

Patent flour . . .

3.5

113.2

1 Including only the hominies.

2 Maine Agric Exp. Station, Bui. 118, pp. 132, 133.

It should be noted that when some of these foods are bought in bulk, the cost is less than the above averages, not exceeding four cents per pound. In view of their ease of preparation, with the saving of fuel and labor, they may be economical when so purchased, as compared with the common raw materials, such as flour and the meals, which can be bought at from two to three cents per pound.