The report shows busier lifestyles create a more impulsive and impatient consumer who is aware of the growing range of places where food is available.

Food companies are responding to this information by introducing a variety of new prepared products to the market.

The rise in convenience is evident in a nine per cent rise in snacking and a 26 per cent rise in light meals, and with one third of the population living alone in 2001 individual meals have seen a rise of 16 per cent since 1994.

Joanne Denney, IGD's chief executive, said: 'The switch in demand from basic cuts of meat and fresh produce to more added value products is good news for food producers, helping to reinvigorate the category and drive consumption of their products.' Research suggests the enthusiasm for convenience food will continue to increase as young consumers take their eating habits with them into their old age.

IGD found consumers in their 30s did not expect suddenly to unearth a desire to cook meals from scratch when they retire in their 60s.

In a bid to make convenience food as appealing and healthy as possible, retailers are sourcing fruit and vegetables already washed and prepared from their suppliers.

IGD have also noticed that fruit and vegetables make up 55 per cent of all organic sales, consumption of potato products grew by 64 per cent between 1990 and 2000, and bananas and grapes saw the biggest percentage growth of all fruits in the same period.

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