“In addition to being expensive, restaurant meals typically contain higher amounts of sodium, fat and calories than home-cooked meals,” said Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “A medium-sized Side Delights potato has no fat, cholesterol or sodium — and only 110 calories. Plus, potatoes are an antioxidant and a great source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber.”
In April, the Wall Street Journal cited a Circana consumer analytics study showing that lunches purchased at restaurants or other establishments dropped 3 percent in 2024 to $19.5 billion, less than in 2020, the peak of the pandemic work-from-home era. Conversely, the amount of food shoppers purchased from grocery and other stores with the intent to eat at home or bring to work for lunch climbed 1 percent.
The "cook it once, eat it twice" approach is the perfect solution for professionals who work in offices or at home, as well as for students who bring food to classrooms and campuses. After cooking a meal at home, leftovers can be used right away or frozen for a delicious, healthy lunch without the work of preparing meals twice or the cost of ordering and/or delivering them.
"Potato dishes from dinner make a great second act for lunch, or get creative and turn leftover Russet potatoes into a filling yogurt-based Quick and Healthy Greek Potato Salad or Yellow potatoes into a comforting warm Roasted Potato Garlic Soup with Kale and Sausage,” said Triou. “For students of any age, prepare extra Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Chips and pack them for a snack to bring to school.”
