Changes are taking place in the food buying patterns of the chareidi sector in Israel.

According to a recent survey, during the past year 51 percent of chareidi households purchased more health care products, says Avraham Kringel, chairman of the Marketing Committee of the Manufacturers’ Association. Meanwhile 31 percent of chareidi households did not change their purchasing habits and 7 percent bought fewer health care products.

Kringel says the survey shows 46 percent of chareidi households bought dietetic products with lower fat content, 31 percent did not change their buying pattern and 11 percent bought fewer diet items.

One-fourth of chareidi households reported buying more premium products (e.g. herbal tea, olive oil, etc.), 20 percent do not buy premium products, 38 percent reported no change and 17 percent bought fewer such items.

Health care, diet and premium items are purchased more frequently by chareidi households with higher income levels.

Kringel notes the survey, conducted by the Geocartographic Institute, shows 29 percent of chareidi households say they buy fewer prepared foods compared to previous years, while 20 percent say they buy more. Another 39 percent said their purchasing habits remain unchanged and 2 percent claimed, “We never prepare food at home.”

Among chareidi households that are purchasing more prepared foods 33 percent buy cakes, 29 percent buy other baked goods, 20 percent buy schnitzel, 19 percent buy bread, 19 percent buy salads (which includes certain spreads), 15 percent buy sausages/chicken breasts/hot dogs, 10 percent buy frozen burekas, malawach and pizza, 7 percent buy other frozen foods, 4 percent buy ready-made food and 2 percent buy gefilte fish in jars.

According to the survey, 630,000 chareidi live in Israel in 115,000 family units. The average chareidi family is comprised of 5.45 family members, 1.75 times more than the average Jewish family in Israel, which numbers 3.12 family members.

Dei’ah veDibur