Sales of homemade food supplies soar in Seoul

E-Mart Co., the largest local discount chain, said on Monday that growing concerns over already made food have pushed up sales of products to make food at home at its stores. Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 10, sales of homemade baking supplies were up 16.7 percent from a year ago, while mixes and products for homemade juice rose 15.3 percent, the discount chain said. Among homemade food supplies, mixes that can be used to make cakes and bread gained popularity after they have been shown to build creativity in children, E-Mart said, adding they can be used to make various kinds of shapes. In particular, sales of microwave ovens for homemade baking doubled in the above-cited period, E-Mart said. "The establishment of the five-day workweek system is rapidly fostering a culture where parents make food at home and enjoy it with their children," an official at E-Mart said.