Consumers’ desire for restaurant-quality entrees doesn’t fade during an economic downturn; they just find a more affordable route to attain them.
According to the Chicago-based Perishables Group, consumer demand for prepared foods increased 3.7 percent from the previous 52-week period, ending June 27, 2009. In fact, in the deli department, prepared foods have reached 50.8 percent of total dollar sales. The most popular prepared foods reported were deli preparedchicken, salads and sandwiches.

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