2

RECIPE KIT USAGE AMONG HOMEMAKERS: ITS ADOPTION, IMPACT, AND

RESPONSIVENESS TO CHALLENGES IN FOOD PREPARATION

A Thesis Proposal Presented to

Faculty of the School of Advanced Studies

BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Main Campus, Tagbilaran City

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION MAJOR IN

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

CHARESSE ANN N. CUTANDA

April 2024
 3

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Food-related choices have an important impact on

health. Food preparation methods may be linked to diet and

health benefits. However, the factors influencing people’s

food choices, and how they are shaped by food preparation

experiences are big factors affecting food choices (Mills,

2017)

Moreover, Homemakers has a dilemma of not knowing what

to cook during mealtime and some of them are too busy on

their jobs that they don’t have enough time to go on grocery

shopping especially the working ones who wants to eat

wholesome food. Add on trying to figure out how much

ingredients should they buy and on how a certain recipe

should be done. With an increasing awareness of our health

needs, Boholanos are looking for better, healthier and more

diet friendly alternatives through recipe kit.

Recipe kit is a set of instructions together with a box

of raw ingredients to be shipped to your home or to be

purchase at the market so that you can cook them without the
 4

hassle of planning, shopping, and prepping that usually

accompanies meal planning.

The scenarios prompted the researcher to study the

adoption and impact of recipe kit in Tagbilaran and Panglao

Bohol to assess the usefulness of recipe kit.

Literature Background

Modern food preparation presents a challenge to home

makers on daily basis. There are wide ranging barriers in

nutritious meals preparation for families such as feelings

of tiredness and exhaustion, lack of meal-planning

knowledge, food costs and time constraints (Middleton et

al., 2020). A review also implicates a lack of cooking

skills and food preparation knowledge as barriers to

preparing home-cooked meals (Soliah et al., 2012).

As a result, the use of ultra-processed ready-to-eat

convenience meals has increased over the past decade to

reduce time and effort (Martins et al., 2021). Although

convenience foods save time, they tend to have lower

nutritional values and can be more expensive than food that

takes time to prepare (Rahkovsky et al, 2018).

 Legal Bases 5
The 1987 New Philippine
Constitution
Theories
Utilitarianism Article II
Section 5
“An explanation of a “. . . Promotion of
consumers inclination general welfare are
towards convenient meal essential for the
choices. Individuals enjoyment by all People
should prioritize actions of the blessings of
or choices that maximize -------- democracy”
overall happiness or
utility. . .” Article XIII
(Bentham, 1832) Section 11
“The State shall adopt
an integrated and
The Construal Level comprehensive approach
Theory (CLT) of to health development
Psychological Distance which shall endeavor to
make essential goods,
“The greater the temporal health and other social
distance, the more likely services available to
are events to be all the people at
presented in terms of a affordable cost.”
few abstract features”
Article XIV
(Trope and Liberman 2003) Section 10
“. . . The State shall
give priority to
research and
development, invention,
innovation, and their
utilization; and to
science and technology
education, training,
and services”
Assessment on the Usage of Recipe Kit in Bohol

Adoption Impact

Action Plan

Fig 1. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

 6

Primary home maker reported that the help in food

planning and preparation to make cooking more time-efficient

could be useful to address wide ranging barriers associated

with cooking at home and sharing family meals (Fulkerson,

Story, Neumark-Sztainer, & Rydell, 2008). Today's consumers

are increasingly embracing opportunities associated with

convenience and enjoyment of experiencing upscale, tastier

and healthier foods that they are able to efficiently

prepare at home (Meehee cho, 2020). Recipe kit will be

introducing the users to more recipes, wide variety of

foods, new cooking techniques, users may also benefit from

an increase in healthful behavior.

Notably, recipe kits have gained popularity among

consumers seeking convenience in preparing meals at home

(Moores et al., 2020). These kits typically contain pre-

portioned ingredients and clear instructions, which can

reduce stress related to food preparation and increase the

likelihood of meals being prepared and consumed at home

(McKay, 2023). Studies have shown that meal kits can address

barriers such as lack of time and food preparation

knowledge, making them appealing to individuals looking to

improve their cooking habits (Oberle et al., 2020).

While meal kits offer benefits, challenges exist in

their adoption and usage. Some users may face difficulties

 7

in picking up the meal kits, modifying recipes to suit their

preferences or family size, and dealing with the cost of the

kits (Carman et al., 2021). Despite these challenges, meal

kits have the potential to contribute to a healthy diet and

promote home cooking, especially for individuals with busy

lifestyles or limited cooking skills (Wu, 2024).

For homemakers, who are often responsible for meal

preparation in households, the adoption of meal kits can

vary. Professional workers, homemakers, and retirees have

been associated with higher adoption rates of preventive

health behaviors, indicating a potential openness to trying

new approaches like meal kits (Sánchez-Arenas et al., 2021).

However, the cost of meal kits and the need to customize

recipes to accommodate family needs may influence the

responsiveness of homemakers to using these kits (Carman et

al., 2021).

The study was based to the theory of Utilitarianism

(Jeremy Benthan 1832) which states that Individuals should

prioritize actions or choices that maximize overall

happiness or utility. Consumers are more likely to choose

convenient meal options that provide the greatest

satisfaction or utility in terms of ease of preparation,

time saving and overall enjoyment. time scarcity

significantly influences consumers' decisions (Zhao and

 8

Zhou, 2019) and they seek options that maximize utility

(Nguyen et al. 2022). This highlighted the importance of

time-saving preparation and ease of preparation reflecting

the maximization of overall happiness through convenient

meal choices. Additionally, consumers were driven by

convenience factors like portion control and reduced food

waste (Garcia and Hernandez, 2021) that demonstrates

enhanced satisfaction and well-being.

Subsequently, the Construal Level Theory (CLT) of

psychological distance says that “the greater the temporal

distance, the more likely are events to be represented in

terms of a few abstract features” (Trope and Liberman 2003).

Food choices made in advance are less likely to be

influenced by the experience of hunger. Instead, individuals

are more likely to consider choices based on healthy

recommendations. With this, it is also possible that

ordering recipe kits in advance may affect satisfaction

because recipe kits are prepared in advance. This can be

applied to a given recipe. When selected in advance, a

certain recipe may sound very appealing due to healthier

methods and ingredients, however that same recipe may not be

as appealing on a given night with a feeling of hunger. This

is because when experiencing hunger, individuals tend to

 9

gravitate towards foods that are fast and readily available,

rather than those that require preparation.

Adopting meal planning can significantly impact overall

well-being. Research suggests that when individuals plan

meals in advance, their meal choices were significantly

healthier (Van Epps et al., 2016). Research shown that

future decisions are more likely to reflect recommended

behavior, in this case, healthful meal choices (Rogers and

Bazerman 2008)

According to Article II, Sec. 5, Part 2 of the

Philippine Constitution, it states that:

“. . . promotion of the general welfare are essential for

the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of

democracy.”

In the context of recipe kit adoption, ensuring access

to nutritious food through innovative services aligns with

constitutional mandate to promote general welfare. Recipe

kits will give convenient and affordable healthy meals and

will contribute in enhancing the quality of life and well-

being of individuals thus attaining the constitutional goal

of promoting general welfare and ensuring the enjoyment of

the people.
 10

Likewise, Article XIII, Sec. 11 states that:

“The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive

approach to health development which shall endeavor to
make essential goods, health and other social services
available to all the people at affordable cost.”

This

act emphasizes the importance of promoting access to

nutritious food options that are essential for maintaining

public health and well-being. Recipe kit adoption may

contribute in attaining this constitutional duty by

providing convenient access to balanced and wholesome meals

by offering pre-portioned ingredients and may address

barriers to healthy eating such as time constraints and lack

of knowledge and skills. Recipe kits can promote healthier

eating habits, reducing food wastage and improving

accessibility to the community.

Sec. 10, Article XIV, states that:

“. . . The State shall give priority to research and
development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization; and to science and technology education,
training, and services”

This emphasizes the importance of innovation in

enhancing efficiency within food industry and encourages the

adoption of innovative solutions that enhances food

accessibility, affordability and quality thereby promoting

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the state’s goal of prioritizing research, invention,

innovation and science and technology education in the

pursuit of national development.

Home makers in today’s era are prioritizing services

that offer convenient solutions for meal preparation while

also providing options for healthy and balanced meals (Park

and kim 2023). We must highlight the importance of

convenience-related attributes, such as quick meal

preparation and doorstep delivery, in consumers' selection

of meal services, indicating a growing demand for convenient

yet nutritious food options (Nguyen, 2022). Home makers are

increasingly choosing meal options that improve their health

in addition to saving time as they manage their hectic

lifestyles. Consumers' decisions to choose meal delivery

services were influenced by factors such as affordability

and time-saving benefits, alongside considerations of

healthfulness (Jones and Smith, 2020). Home maker value pre-

packaged meal options that offer portion control and use of

fresh ingredients that aligning with healthful convenience

(Lee and Johnson, 2018). The food industry is facing a

demand for creative solutions as these developments

highlight the changing desires of consumers who aim to

combine healthfulness and convenience in their meal choices.

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The researcher is conducting this study to investigate

the adoption and impacts of recipe kits and to understand

homemaker’s preferences regarding convenience, healthfulness

and satisfaction in meal preparation and consumption and to

know how does recipe kits will address the common problems

in meal preparation.

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

The primary purpose of this study is to assess the

adoption potential and impact of using Recipe kit among
homemakers in Tagbilaran City and Panglao, Bohol province
for the year 2024.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following

specific questions:

1. What is the Profile of the participants in terms of:

1.1 Types;

1.2 Socio demographics; and

1.2.1 Age
1.2.2 Gender

1.3 Food Preference

2. What is the adoption potential of recipe kit among

participants provided with sample considering the
following aspects:

2.1 satisfaction;
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2.2 benefits; and

2.3 influencing factors towards regular use?

3. What is the perceived impact of recipe kit usage on

food preparation to the respondents with the following
considerations:
3.1 Convenience

3.2 Cooking Habits

3.3 Meal Satisfaction

3.4 Nutritional Awareness

3.5 Culinary skills development

4. How does the Recipe kit address challenges with regards

to time constraints and accessibility to various and

diverse ingredients for food preparation?

5. What course of action may be implemented to encourage

Boholanos to consider and adopt recipe kits?

Significance of the Study

The result of the study will benefit the following:

Entrepreneurs. This study would provide them with

baseline data on marketing their raw materials and

introducing their new recipe. Understanding the factors

driving adoption and perceived impact will enable them to

refine marketing strategies, product offerings, and service

models to meet consumer needs.

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Consumers. This study would give consumers ideas on how

to prepare and improve the usual family food preparation.

Findings on satisfaction and patterns of use will assist

them in making informed decisions about integrating recipe

kits into their routines, potentially leading to improved

cooking skills and meal satisfaction.

Community. The findings of this study will benefit the

community as this will give them an idea of how food

preparation becomes healthier and more convenient.

Future Researchers. This study would serve as a basis

for conducting a study related to recipe kits. Researchers

may use it as a reference for comparison or to develop new

methodologies within the evolving fields of food technology

and consumer behavior.

Food Technology Students. This study would benefit the

students as it will guide them in making their meal plans

and give them a reference for elaborating on food

preparation practices.

School. The learning institution and the personnel will

use the result to provide knowledge to the locals and

further improve the food preparation in the school

cafeteria.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Design

To attain the goal of the study, a descriptive-survey

method will be employed by the researcher. This design will

be used to understand the adoption and impact of recipe kit

usage among homemakers. The collected data from the

respondents through survey will be tabulated, analyzed, and

evaluated.

Research Environment and Participants

The study will be conducted at the Island of Panglao

and Tagbilaran City Bohol. Tagbilaran is an urban city and

Panglao have tourism-oriented economy with coastal life.

Despite differing landscapes, both Tagbilaran and Panglao

home makers are likely to encounter similar challenges

related to balancing household responsibilities and they may

share common aspirations for providing easier and quality

life for their families.

The respondents of this study focused on 20 household

makers. They will be chosen randomly specifically 10 from

Tagbilaran City and 10 in Panglao Island.

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The Research Map

Research Instrument

Modified questionnaire anchored from the study of Mills

et al., (2017) is used to facilitate the gathering of data

and ensure its accuracy, with the research adviser and

critic providing corrections and revisions. The

questionnaire is designed to be clear and simple ensuring

the ease of understanding for the respondents. Before

reproduction and distribution, it undergoes review by the

research adviser and expert panelist.

The questionnaire includes queries regarding the

profile of home makers in terms of their types and socio-

demographics. Additionally, it addresses the potential

 17

adoption of recipe kits, examining satisfaction levels,

benefits, and factors influencing regular use. The

participants are also asked about the influence of recipe

kits and its contribution to addressing challenges related

to time constraints and ingredients accessibility.

The modified questionnaire is answered by selecting

their type of home maker and providing socio-demographic

details, including age, gender, and food preferences, to

construct the home maker profile. Additionally, they

evaluate their satisfaction with adoption on a scale ranging

from 1 (Very dissatisfied) to 5 (Very satisfied) and express

their opinions on benefits and influencing factors using a

scale from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).

Data Gathering Procedures

Phase I. Pre-data Gathering

The researcher will ask permission from the Campus

Director Dr. Samuel of BISU-MC through the thesis adviser

and the Dean of the College of Advanced Studies Dr. Chona

Fullido to conduct the study.

Phase II. Actual Data Gathering

The researcher distributes a sample of recipe kits to

selected participants. The distribution process ensures that

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participants receive the kits along with any accompanying

instructions or materials necessary for their use. The

researcher may provide guidance on how to effectively

utilize the recipe kits during meal preparation routines.

Participants are instructed to use the kits as per their

convenience and provide feedback based on their experiences.

Phase III. Post-data Gathering

From the distribution of questionnaires to participants

who have utilized the recipe kits. The questionnaires are

designed to collect feedback on various aspects such as

satisfaction, benefits, and influencing factors related to

the recipe kits. Participants are given a specified

timeframe to complete the questionnaires and return them to

the researcher. Upon collection, the researcher evaluates,

analyzes, and interprets the gathered questionnaires to draw

conclusions and insights from the data. The findings are

then synthesized into a comprehensive report or

presentation, concluding the research process.

Statistical Treatment

The status of the home makers in Panglao Island and in

Tagbilaran City in terms types and socio demographics and

the potential adoption and its impact is determined by

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computing the weighted mean and these values was determined

using the scale below:

Σf x
x=
n

Where:

x= Average Weighted mean

Σf x = sum of the scores multiplied by frequency
N = number of respondents

2
s b
Formula: F= 2
s w

Where:

F= test value
2
s b= variance between groups
2
s w =variance within groups

The computed F-value was compared to the critical value

at 5% level of significance.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms were being used operationally for

better understanding:

Recipe Kit. A set of ingredients for preparing a dish

including the instruction on preparation.

Adoption. The process by which households in Tagbilaran

City and Panglao choose to incorporate recipe kits into

their regular meal planning and preparation routines.

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Impact. refers to how adopting recipe kits has affected

homemakers' lives in Tagbilaran City and Panglao.

Home Makers. is defined as a person, usually an adult,

who is principally in charge of overseeing domestic tasks,

such as organizing meals, doing grocery shopping, and

cooking meals.

Food preference. is defined individuals’ preference

towards specific types of food such as fast food or

wholesome food.
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REFERENCES

Abdul-Mutalib et al., (2012) “Knowledge, attitude and

practices regarding food hygiene and sanitation of food
handlers in Kuala Pilah, Malaysia” Food Control, 92-99
10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.04.001

Akabanda et al., (2017) “Food safety knowledge, attitudes,

and practices of institutional food-handlers in Ghana”
BMC Public Health, 10.1186/s1288 9-016-3986-9

Carman, K., Sweeney, L., House, L., Mathews, A., & Shelnutt,
K. (2021). Acceptability and willingness to pay for a
meal kit program for african american families with low
income: a pilot study. Nutrients, 13(8), 2881.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082881

Labonite, R. (2018). “Food Safety Practices of Food Service

Establishments in the Third Congressional District of
Bohol.” Unpublished masteral thesis, Bohol Island State
University Main Campus, Tagbilaran City.

Mailloux. M. (2017) “Impacts on the Inter Impacts on the

Interest Level of Consumers Toward Meal Kit Delivery
Services.” Published thesis, De La Salle University.

Meehee C. 2020. “Home Chef Meal kits: Product attributes,

perceived value and repurchasing intentions the
moderating effects of household configuration”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/ [Retrieved March
31,2024]

McKay, F. (2023). What’s in a commercial meal kit?

structured review of australian meal kits. Public
Health Nutrition, 26(6), 1284-1292.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980023000265

Moores, C., Bell, L., Buckingham, M., & Dickinson, K.

(2020). Are meal kits health promoting? nutritional
analysis of meals from an australian meal kit service.
Health Promotion International, 36(3), 660-668.
https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaa095
 22

Oberle, M., Loth, K., Schendel, A., Fox, C., & Gross, A.
(2020). Acceptance of a meal kit programme in an
outpatient paediatric weight management clinic: a
qualitative pilot study. Clinical Obesity, 10(5).
https://doi.org/10.1111/cob.12371

Omus, M. (2020). “Acceptability of Flavored Taro

(Cytosperma chamissonis) Flower Noodles.” Unpublished
masteral thesis, Bohol Island State University Main
Campus, Tagbilaran City.

Sánchez-Arenas, R., Doubova, S., González-Pérez, M., &

Pérez‐Cuevas, R. (2021). Factors associated with covid-
19 preventive health behaviors among the general public
in mexico city and the state of mexico. Plos One,
16(7), e0254435.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254435

Wu, A. (2024). Satisfaction with a meal kit delivery program

and feasibility of a phase i trial in the intervening
in food insecurity to reduce and mitigate (inform)
childhood obesity study. Pediatric Obesity.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.13111
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Appendix B
Survey Questionnaire

Republic of the Philippines

BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Tagbilaran City, Bohol

March 31, 2024

Dear Respondents,

Warm Greeting!

The Researcher is presently conducting a study entitled

RECIPE KIT USAGE AMONG HOMEMAKERS: ITS ADOPTION, IMPACT, AND
RESPONSIVENESS TO CHALLENGES IN FOOD PREPARATION as a
requirement of the degree Master of Arts in Teaching
Vocational Education (MATVE).

In connection with this, the researcher would like to ask

your cooperation by answering the questionnaire sincerely
and truthfully. Your Honest answer are highly appreciated to
make this study valid. Rest assure that your answer will be
treated with outmost confidentiality.

Thank you for your cooperation!

CHARESSE ANN N. CUTANDA

Researcher
 24

Republic of the Philippines

BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Name: (Optional)

__________________________________________

Appendix B
Questionnaire
HOME MAKERS PROFILE
Instruction:
Please Indicate a check mark on the space provided that
corresponds to your answer.
I. Profile of Home Makers
TYPE OF HOME MAKER
1. Please check the option that best describe you as a
home maker.

___ Traditional Homemaker ___ Working Homemaker

___ Single Parent Homemaker ___ Stay-at-Home
Parent
___ Remote Worker Homemaker ___ Single
Individuals

SOCIO DEMOGRAPHICS

2. Age
___ 18-27 (Gen Z) ___ 44-59 (Gen X)
___ 28-43 (Millennials) ___ 60-69 (Boomers)

3. Gender
___ Male
___ Female
________ Others (please specify)

FOOD PREFERENCE
4. Food Preference
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___ Fast Food

___ Wholesome food
___ Both

II. RECIPE KIT ADOPTION

SATISFACTION
Instruction: Please rate your level of satisfaction.
How satisfied are you with the following aspects of
recipe kit? Please check on scale 1 to 5,where:

1- Very dissatisfied
2- Dissatisfied
3- Neutral
4- Satisfied
5- Very satisfied

Features Very Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very

dissatisfied (2) (3) (4) satisfied
(1) (5)
1. Quality Pre-Portioned Ingredients:

How satisfied
are you with
the freshness
and quality of
ingredients in
recipe kit?
2. Variety and Customization
Can offer a
variety of
recipes that
cater your
food
preferences
and needs?
3. Recipe Cards or Instruction
How satisfied
are you with
the clarity
and ease of
use of the
recipe cards
or
instructions
provided in
the recipe
kit?
3. Ease of Preparation
How would you
 26

rate the ease

of following
the recipe and
the meal
preparation
using recipe
kit?
4. Cost Satisfaction (free sample)
How satisfied
are you with
the perceived
value of our
meal kits?
5.Packing and Delivery
How satisfied
are you with
the packing
and delivery
of recipe kit?
6.Health and Nutrition
To what extent
do you feel
that recipe
kits can offer
nutritious and
balanced
options?
7. Contribution to Reducing Food Waste
How satisfied
are you that
recipe kits
contribute in
reducing food
waste compared
to traditional
grocery
shopping?

BENEFITS

Instruction: Please indicate how much you agree with the

following statements about the benefits of using Recipe
Kits on a scale 1 to 5 where:
1- Strongly Disagree
2- Disagree
3- Neutral
4- Agree
5- Strongly Agree

Benefits Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly

 27

Disagree (2) (3) (4) Agree

(1) (5)
1. Less Stress

Recipe kits
reduces the
stress
associated with
meal planning
and grocery
shopping
2. Flexibility
Recipe kits
offers
flexibility in
terms of order
sizes, meal
preference and
delivery
3. Cost efficient
Recipe kits
can save you
money compared
to traditional
grocery
shopping and
dining out.
4. Reduced Food Waste
Recipe kits
helps reduce
food waste by
providing pre-
portioned
ingredients,
minimizing
excess
purchases.
5. Ensures better nutrition
Recipe kits
offers
nutritious and
balanced
meals,
promoting
health and
well-being.
6. It simplifies Decision Making
Recipe kits
simplifying
the decision-
making process
and the need
to constantly
 28

think about
over what to
prepare for a
meal.
7. Cooking Skills Improvement
Recipe kits
can guide you
into your
culinary
skills that
comes with
easy-to-follow
instructions
that
simplifies
cooking
process and
teaches
valuable
cooking
techniques
along the way.

INFLUENCING FACTORS TOWARDS REGULAR USE

Instructions: Please rate your level of agreement with

the following statements regarding the influence of
recipe kits towards regular use within Tagbilaran and
Panglao, Bohol, on a scale of 1 to 5, where:

Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly

Disagree (2) (3) (4) Agree
(1) (5)
1. Convenience
The Convenience
of having
recipe kits
delivered to my
doorstep
influences my
decision to use
them regularly.
2. Time Saving
Time-saving
aspect of meal
kits like pre-
portioned
ingredients
and step-by-
step
procedures
 29

encourages me
to use
regularly
3. Variety of Recipes
Variety of
recipes
offered by
recipe kits
motivates me
to use them
regularly
4. Health and Nutrition
The emphasis
on health and
nutrition in
recipe kit
offerings
encourages me
to use them
regularly.
5. Cost-Effectiveness
The cost-
effectiveness
of meal kits
compared to
grocery
shopping and
dining out
influences my
decision to
use them
regularly.
6. Flexibility
The
flexibility
offered by
meal kit
services in
terms of meal
preferences,
order sizes,
and delivery
options
encourages me
to use them
regularly.
7. Cooking Skills Improvement
the
contribution
of recipe kits
in addressing
 30

time
constraints
and providing
access to
diverse
ingredients
influence my
decision to
use them
regularly.