Page 272 - IMDR JOURNAL 2023-24

IMDR’s Journal of Management Development & Research 2023-24

convenience and culinary adventure. Ready-to-eat (RTE) options have emerged as the perfect

blend of tradition and ease, captivating the hearts (and stomachs) of this dynamic
demographic. This paper delves into the intricate tapestry of consumer behavior toward

Ready-To-Eat innovations in Viksit Bharat. We dissect the unique preferences, aspirations,
and challenges faced by consumers in Jabalpur, unveiling the vast potential this market holds

for RTE manufacturers.

Ready-To-Eat food is typically precooked food that only needs a minimal preparation before

consumption. Foods that are dehydrated and only need water to prepare are frequently
included in this. Instant meal convenience products are an attempt to meet this demand while

still tasting good enough for people to select them over foods that need to be cooked from
scratch. Preservatives, chemicals, and other possibly harmful ingredients are sometimes

associated with ready-made food as being pricey. When people go grocery shopping, they

may have a negative perception of this often-manufactured product because they believe it to
be pricey and full of chemicals, fillers, and other ingredients that could be dangerous. Grain-

related items like noodles, flavoured oatmeal, breakfast cereals, and more are among the
simplest types of instant food to create and package. This is because these foods are typically

prepared fast by adding hot water or milk and are naturally stored in sealed, dry environments
to maintain their freshness.

Another widely consumed instant food that only needs the addition of hot water is dehydrated
potatoes. These are frequently served in institutional settings for school lunches as well as in

nursing or retirement homes where it can be time-consuming and impractical to prepare
potatoes the traditional way. Drink mixtures including instant coffee, tea, and nutrient-dense

milk are examples of further popular rapid food products. The TV dinner, a pre-packaged

meal that often includes all the essentials of a regular dinner, including meat, vegetables, and
a dessert, is another large category of rapid foods, pasta or another grain item.

Changes in diet consumption patterns and in lifestyle are closely related. The development in

more "dining out culture" and the consumption of convenience foods are two ways that
modern Indian society has changed its eating habits. These have been commercially prepared

and are made to be easily consumed. Despite the fact that restaurant meals fit this description,

the term is rarely used to describe them. Youngsters and job-going people age group use
more ready-to-eat food products and this age group people are migrating to other cities for

higher studies, job, etc and because of workaholic nature they don’t have time to cook

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