Senior snackers take to the road with DIY picnics
With 16 million vehicles likely to be taking to the road this bank holiday weekend, new data from Saga Motor Insurance suggests that huge numbers of over 50s will be tucking into DIY picnics and snacks, avoiding stops at service stations, fast food outlets and coffee shops in order to save money and enjoy better tasting food and drinks. Even a Great British Pub meal comes second to a home-made picnic somewhere off the beaten track.
Where the over 50s plan to stop for food on a car journey:
Off the beaten track 48%
Pub 44%
Car park or lay-by 35%
Motorway service station 24%
Fast food outlet 20%
Coffee shop 13%
The research also found that one in five over 50s (22%) will be preparing for the risk of traffic jams by packing a picnic while one in three (29%) will be hoping to break the time up on long journeys with a roadside snack.
Around two thirds of the UK's over 50s (63%) choose home prepared snacks and meals when on the move in order to save money, while nearly one third (30%) believe they can enjoy tastier food by taking their own. A quarter (25%) of the over 50s are clearly pushing the boat out by spending more packing a posh picnic than the alternatives would otherwise cost.
Whilst some may think that popping out for a picnic is not particularly adventurous, the research also shows that over 50s take the opportunity to travel far and wide for a picnic, with almost one in five (17%) admitting to driving more than 50 miles for a picnic and 5% had even driven more than 100 miles!
Saga's research highlighted three typologies of picnic-goers and shows clear divides across the UK:
The picnic pit stoppers - 38% of UK over 50s (most prevalent among people in the Midlands 50%, Scotland 42%, the South 39%).
Typical contents: Flask of hot water, tea bags or coffee, biscuits, boiled sweets, juice cartons, homemade cheese and tomato sandwiches, and salt and vinegar crisps.
Posh picnickers - 25% of UK over 50s (most likely for people in London 32%, East 30% and the South 29%). Least likely Midlands 18% and Wales 19%).
Typical contents: Bagels, smoked salmon, cream cheese, stuffed olives, ploughman's, potato salad, chutney, crackers, fresh fruit, cordial drinks, cakes, dried fruit snacks.
Pre-packed picnickers - 24% of UK over 50s compared to 42% 18-24 year olds (most likely among over 50s in East and North 30%).
Typical contents: Pre-packed sandwich, sausage rolls, pork pie, dips, crisps, fizzy drinks, chocolate bars.
Commenting on the findings, Ros Altmann, Saga's director general, said: "At a time when the over 50s are feeling the squeeze, it's no surprise that people are seeking cost effective solutions without compromising on quality.
"The idea of a flask of tea and Tupperware sandwich-box hasn't gone away; it has simply been reinvented by a generation who want good value for money but aren't prepared to compromise on taste."
Saga Motor Insurance's research also highlighted an age divide in food habits on the go. More than twice as many (41%) 18-24 year olds preferred to use fast food outlets, compared with only 20% of over 50s, while around twice as many over 50s preferred their own food off the beaten track (48% of over 50s compared with 25% of 18-24 year olds.)