Friday, June 24, 2011

I'm bad at Math: The real cost of FD Stawberries

 
So I'm bad at math.  Have I ever mentioned that?  A few days ago I posted about the cost of FD strawberries and there is good news and bad news.

Bad News:  I am bad at math and totally calculated it wrong

Good News:  Freeze dried strawberries are CHEAPER per serving than fresh strawberries (or frozen) from the grocery store.

Here is the math  (I have had 2 separate people check it this time)
Form Average retail price Cost per serving
Fresh Strawberries $2.28 per pound
(yield 2 cups of sliced strawberries)

(USDA Serving Size ½ cup)
$0.57 per serving
The Math:
$2.28/2 cups = $1.14
/cup
$1.14/2 servings = $0.57/serving
Frozen Strawberries 2.12 per pound
(yield 2 cups per pound)


USDA Serving Size ½ cup
$0.53 per serving
The Math
$2.12/2 cups = $1.06
/cup
$1.06/2 servings = $0.53/serving
THRIVE Freeze Dried $24.89 per Number 10 Can  (Gallon)  45 servings
$0.55 per serving
The Math:
(USDA Serving Size 1/4 cup)
$0.58 per serving
$24.89/45 servings = $0.55/serving

So now the big question is about serving size.  The serving size for fresh and frozen is 1/2 cup and for freeze dried it is 1/4 cup.  Why?   The United States Department of Agriculture says that when calculated dry,  freeze dried fruit serving are 1/2 the size of fresh servings. 

That is why Shelf Reliance lists their serving size for most fruits and vegetable as 1/4 cup. 
1/4 cup freeze dried = 1/2 cup fresh = 1 serving
.
I have amended the original post so it is correct.

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