THE ALLOCATION OF TIME: PREPARED FOOD OR PREPARING FOOD? DRAFT SANAE TASHIRO∗

This paper examines how individuals make decisions on the allocation of time for food preparation. Based on the 2005 American Time Use Survey data, Tobit estimates show that hours of work have a significant effect on one’s allocation of time for preparing food at home but not for purchasing prepared food. Time spent on family care and leisure increases time spent for both preparing food at home and for purchasing prepared food, and that varies by gender and by socio-economic characteristics. Highly educated individuals are likely to devote more time to purchasing prepared food, but apparently not for preparing food at home. These findings confirm the varied effect of socio-demographic differences on one’s decision to allocate time for food preparation