Supermarket research shows that switching to frozen food can save shoppers a huge 34% on weekly grocery shopping.

Compiled by the Centre for Food Innovation at Sheffield Hallam University, the shopping basket analysis showed that a basket of frozen family groceries costs just £15.45 compared to the same items bought fresh at £23.25. The research demonstrates that purchasing frozen family favourites such as salmon, broccoli, and sausages can save a family of four £7.80 per basket

Charlotte Harden, nutrition and science consultant said: “We compared items from four of the top supermarkets and found that frozen food comes in at much better value per 100g. Many families are feeling the pinch at this time of year and will be looking for cost savings so they can clear post-Christmas debts. A really simple way to make your money go further is to buy frozen food.”

Brian Young, director general of British Frozen Food Federation that runs CoolCookery.co.uk said: “We have worked hard to find the true cost savings figure by comparing like for like products and portion sizes. As inflation continues to increase each month, feeding a family can be costly. Choosing frozen food allows families to continue eating the meals they love at a much lower price point. Previous research has proved that the nutritional value of frozen foods is just as good as fresh so there is no compromise to make on quality.”

Items compared included the most popular family purchases of pizza, broccoli, carrots, garlic bread, whole chicken, prawns, salmon, meat sausages, spinach and parsnips. The study included value, regular, premium and organic ranges and found that shoppers had the opportunity to swap from fresh to frozen on over 600 items.

To put the cost savings into perspective, in a year, a family of four would save £405.60 – enough for return flights to Spain, an iPad 2 or a year’s gym membership.

Mr Young continued: “Frozen food offers a more competitive price point as efficient production methods and a longer storage life ensure better product availability. Recent waste figures from Defra also show that 17% of purchased food gets thrown in the bin. Frozen foods do not perish like fresh – if consumers bought frozen food not only would this waste figure be slashed but food purchased would be food consumed ensuring that money does not end up in the bin.”

The research further proves the case for frozen food. Recent studies into nutritional content have shown that there is no statistical difference between the vitamins contained in fresh and frozen vegetables. Spinach loses 77% of its vitamin C content in just two days from picking whereas the nutritional content of frozen is locked in.

Mr Young concluded: “The quality of frozen food is better than ever. Investment and innovation from big brands and supermarkets’ own labels means that there is more variety than ever in the freezer aisles. While favourites such as peas and chips still offer great value, there are time and effort saving roast-from-frozen joints, luxury prepared meals such as salmon en croute, and 75-piece party platters ensuring that whatever the dining occasion, there is a frozen product to satisfy.”