Free Kraft Food & Family Magazine Online Now

Free Cooking Magazine by Kraft Shifts From Hard Copy to Online

Oct 30, 2008 Cyndi Allison

Kraft must be feeling the budget crunch. The popular and free Food & Family magazine is going online.

One of the best freebie deals online has been Kraft Food & Family. Food & Family is a slick, full-sized food and recipe magazine packed full of tips, directions, and dishes from the Kraft Kitchen.

Subscritions to the free cooking magazine had been available at the Kraft web site for quite some time. Sign up involved simply clicking an icon and then filling out mailing information. The magazine then arrived quarterly with various themes matching the seasons. The issue this summer had a wonderful section on outdoor grilling. The most current paper issue features “making sweet memories.”

The “memories” theme on this final hard copy editon is ironic, because this free magazine project has been memorable but is changing now to online.

Subscribers will see a tab flap on the fall Food & Family magazine that says, “Important Notice.” The notice is that the next Food & Family edition will be online. To promote online participation, Kraft is offering a specail “Thank You Bonus” to subscribers who shift to the electonic issue. The bonus is $5.00 in coupons off Kraft products.

Online subscriptions for the weekly email (and later notification about the new online magazine) can be set up through Kraft Food. That's probably the easiest way to get set up, since the sign up through the magazine code page is currently not working very well. One subscriber to Food & Family put in her coupon code and zip code as requested, but the information was not recognized. She got error messages (indicating that the information was incorrect) even after trying several times and testing the letter O for the zeros and also adding the dash and extra four numbers on the zip code.

The shift to online does offer current subscribers (who can get through the code sign up process) a free sneak peak at the online edition of Food & Family as well as coupons. Going online does offer some interacitivity not possible with a hard copy magazine. For example, online magazine readers can create a shopping list directly linked from recipes, vote for various recipes, and take quizzes.

Since this shift from paper to online for Food & Family is new, reactions from home cooks are mixed. One subscriber said that she was comfortable with the online shift and that she enjoys having everything at her fingertips online. Other magazine subscribers were not so enthusiastic. One fan of Kraft Food & Family said that she was very disappointed. “I really looked forward to getting my magazine and always made a lot of the recipes. I doubt I’ll really check and use the online magazine.” Another home cook said, “I guess it was too good a thing to last. It’s a great magazine, and I really hate that they [Kraft] aren’t going to be sending it anymore.”

For those who enjoy easy recipes that are family friendly, Kraft will be offering the new online Food & Family magazine with sign up for the weekly e-newsletter. In addition, the Kraft web site includes a large collection of recipes as well as information on products and various promotions.

The copyright of the article Free Kraft Food & Family Magazine Online Now in Southern Cuisine is owned by Cyndi Allison. Permission to republish Free Kraft Food & Family Magazine Online Now in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Home Cooks Must Now Go Online

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34 Comments

Comments

Nov 8, 2008 5:20 PM

Guest :

I HAVE RECEIVED FOOD AND FAMILY ALL MOST AS LONG AS IT HAS BEEN AVAILABLE. I LOVE THE MAGAZINE BETTER THAN ANY ON THE MARKET FOR MONEY. I HAVE ALWAYS USED THE RECEIPTS OVER AND OVER. I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY A SMALL AMOUNT TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE IT IN THE MAIL.
I HAVE EVERY COPY MAILED. MANY OF THE OLDER (INCLUDING MYSELF) WOMEN DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO E-MAIL AND A COMPUTER. MANY THAT I GO TO CHURCH WITH WILL NO LONGER HAVE THE PREVILEDGE OF YOUR RECEIPTS. I HATE THAT SO MANY FAITHFUL USERS WILL BE LEFT OUT. PLEASE RECONSIDER.

BETH MOORE

Nov 8, 2008 5:49 PM

Cyndi Allison :

Hi Beth,

I'm with you 100% on this. I also love the Kraft Food and Family magazine and have looked forward to it coming in my mailbox every few months. I save mine too.

I do not work for Kraft and have no association. I just write about food and enjoy the magazine. So, I've been watching the emails and online posts about the recipe magazine by Kraft.

It sounded like Kraft was going to shift from mail to online. I think this next issue will be online. But, I don't think it is definite that the print magazine is gone. I've seen some online buzz about that - and some posts sound like the print issue is gone and others like it is up in the air.

I work in print and online, and I know it is expensive to make the print copies and mail them. Thanks to Kraft for covering that. I know that costs a lot.

Hopefully if Kraft Food & Family fans let Kraft know they do love the print magazine, they will continue with that program. I would suggest that fans let the company know that they do love and use the magazine. If the people at Kraft do realize that the magazine is popular and does help sell products, it may be worth it to them to keep putting it out in the mail.

Kraft might also consider a charge to help on mailing. I think many would consider that. I would.

Thank you for your note. I am a fan of Kraft Food & Family too. I hope they can continue to send it by mail.

Nov 12, 2008 6:37 PM

Guest :

Sorry, but I this on-line idea is totally unacceptable to me, as there's nothing like sitting down with the magazine, looking over all the new recipes. I understand the cost factor, but I'm disappointed that Kraft, which makes oodles of money from the sale of all its many products, is deciding for us that the magazine will now take on a different format. I love this magazine and have tried many of the recipes, but I'm totally disappointed at Kraft's decision. Besides, not everyone has a computer, so they'll be at a real loss. Please reconsider and keep the magazine coming.

Nov 14, 2008 8:36 AM

Guest :

I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED YOU ARE NO LONGER GOING TO SEND THE MAGAZINE THROUGH THE MAIL ANYMORE. I REALLY LOOKED FORWARD TO RECEIVING IT THROUGH THE MAIL AND MADE MANY OF THE GREAT RECIPIES AND WROTE MY NOTES RIGHT ON THE RECIPIE PAGE IN THE MAGAZINE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. I'M NOT MUCH OF A COMPUTER FAN AND DOUBT IF I WILL VIEW THE ONLINE ADDITIONS. IS THERE ANYWAY US" OLD FOSSILS" CAN CONVINCE YOU TO KEEP PRODUCING THE HARD COPY.... PLEASE!! THANK YOU. DIANE KINSLOW

Nov 14, 2008 8:41 AM

Guest :

Nov 14, 2008 8:41 AM

Guest :

Nov 14, 2008 2:45 PM

Cyndi Allison :

I appreciate the thoughts and notes, and I agree. I love Kraft Food & Family in the mail. Kraft magazine fans may want to contact Kraft. The company may see my article here, and they may not. I'm a home cook and writer and not associated with Kraft in any way other than using their products. I do thank readers for sharing thoughts on this. Kraft may not know how much everyone enjoys the magazine in the mailbox.

Nov 19, 2008 3:47 PM

Guest :

I was a subscriber and also experienced difficulty when asked to
enter my coupon code. I still don't know if it finally accepted the
code, I became very frustrated after several attempts.
Debby M.

Nov 20, 2008 12:08 PM

Guest :

came out very good when i tryed it thanks for the recipe

Nov 26, 2008 5:21 AM

Guest :

I am very disappointed this is not going to be a hard copy any longer. I loved to sit in the evening and plan which recipies I would try next. I tried many of them. Sitting in front of a screen is not as appealing and harder on my eyes at the end of a day. D Anema6

Dec 10, 2008 7:27 PM

Guest :

Please continue the magazine , i'm a diabetic and find the recipes easy to follow and the results are as they are pictured. Keep up the good work , i hope to see an new issue out soon. Thanks KRAFT. Perry Mac Donald Kingston , Ontario

Dec 16, 2008 12:38 PM

Guest :

I AM SIGNED UP FOR FOOD AND FAMILY. CANNOT FIND A FIELD TO SIGN UP FOR THE ONLINE MAG.
INTERNET ADDRESS IS AS FOLLOWS: mzkitti@clearwire.net

Dec 22, 2008 7:22 PM

Guest :

I get so excited when the Kraft Food & Family magazine arrives. The cover is so pretty .It compels me to open it to see the new recipes I can try. Kraft doesn't realize how much the magazine helps promote the products and profit their company.
Please don't take away the printed version. Stay loyal to all who have trusted and supported your company for YEARS.
Maggie F from Ohio

Feb 24, 2009 2:23 PM

Guest :

PLEASE DONT TAKE IT AWAY! I LOVE THIS MAGAZINE SO MUCH I WOULD BE WILLING TO BUY A SUBSCRIPTION FOR IT! PLEASE RECONSIDER! I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO ORDER A PAST EDITION OF THE MAGAZINE? I KNOW I CAN VIEW IT ON THE ONLINE ARCHIVE BUT A HARD COPY WOULD BE SO GREAT!

Mar 4, 2009 7:29 PM

Guest :

I LOVED THE MAGAZINE MAILED TO THE HOUSE. I REALLY LOOKED FORWARD TO RECEIVING IT AND TAKING IT WITH ME TO VARIOUS PLACES. I WOULD ALWAYS TRY MANY OF THE RECIPES AND NEW PRODUCTS. BEING 'HANDS ON", I DO NOT WANT EVERYTHING ON THE COMPUTER. P. Porter

Mar 6, 2009 11:24 PM

Guest :

I also agree with many other subscribers. I look forward to getting the magazine in the mail. It is so much easier to just flip to the page or bring the magazine with you when you want to make a recipe. Instead of having to load up the computer then locate the recipe you liked & have to print it if you can find it in the archives. Please reconsider sending it in the mail again.

Maria Grout

Mar 10, 2009 5:37 PM

Guest :

You had a great magazine. I cooked many good meals from the Kraft Magazine. I understand your decision to offer it only on line...BUT I always took mine to read while waiting for appointments....so...I guess my purchases of Kraft products will drop off....since I do not have time to read it on line.

With families cutting expenses and doing without internet it will also cut out some families that were trying to learn to eat right.

It has been great. Thanks for the memories.

Peggy Johnson

Mar 17, 2009 1:02 PM

Guest :

I , too, love the paper copy of this magazine. I do not have access to a computer at home. I recently got a food and family magazine and enclosed was a bill for me if I wanted to continue getting it. It has always been free. They say I can get 2 years worth for $12.oo. I guess Kraft is feeling the crunch along with us all.

Mar 17, 2009 1:04 PM

Guest :

Online will not work for me. I need the paper copy. Got a bill for just that yesterday $12.00 for two years. No money> Sorry

Mar 18, 2009 12:04 PM

Guest :

i have gotten the magizine for years now. I still go back and lookTell at the old ones. To Tell you the truth I probably won't look on line as there is already too much to look at everyday as it is. With a magizine you can even take it with you places like the dr. etc. I would rather pay somthing for it then lose it. P.S I notice that even though their food prices have gone up, I'm still buying theirs products. Wonder if we could online and save some money on their food? Chris Kaser

Mar 18, 2009 6:32 PM

Guest :

I'm going to be very sorry to see the magazine go to online. I always wait for it to come in the mail, and sit down in the evening to go through it. I always find something I like to try right away, and others to fix for a family party. The pictures are just beautiful, and it helps when you make the receipe.
I also save all of my magazines, just in case I need to look something up. I have really enjoyed the magazine. I will be disappointed, and sorry to see it go.

M. Feyos
I wish you would keep the magazine. I just got on line to order it for my son-in-law. He is a great cook, and I thought it would be good for him to receive it. I know he would really enjoy it. Guess I can't sign him up.

Mar 19, 2009 11:04 AM

Guest :

I just received the last issue today in the mail. There is an invoice for a yearly subscription at $5.99. Guess it will still come in the mail, just no longer free. Kind of sad in a way.

Mar 19, 2009 7:29 PM

Guest :

They are still offering the mailed version--it's just no longer free. I received a offer (in the mail today) for about $6 per year or $12 for 2 years.

Mar 23, 2009 8:05 AM

Guest :

You can still get the magazine in hard copy, you just have to subscribe and pay for the magazine now.
Anita

Mar 27, 2009 12:25 PM

Guest :

Noooooooo! Online will not work out for our family. We love getting it in the postal mail, having the magazine on our kitchen table. This is a sad day for our family. Oh well... Good-bye Kraft Food & Family, it was nice while it lasted!

May 29, 2009 6:35 AM

Guest :

I look forward in getting the Kraft Food & Family Magazine. It is very sad it will no longer come in the mail. I use all the Kraft products listed in the recipes, but I will not bother looking through the recipes through EMail. It is a shame. I think it is a big mistake Kriaft is making.

Aug 28, 2009 8:12 AM

Guest :

Hi Everyone!

I too enjoyed the "free" Kraft Magazine and looked forward to the day it would arrive. It is still available but there is now a charge of $15.98 for a year which is 4 issues. They offer another year for an additional $5.99.

Sep 2, 2009 12:33 PM

Guest :

I received an offer to subscribe for $6.99/yr or $13.98 for 2 yrs! Even though I have browsed the website, its so much easier to cook from the magazine.

Sep 11, 2009 6:26 PM

Guest :

That's a real bummer. I love the magazine and use the recipes all the time. I am really dissapointed.

Nov 1, 2009 8:40 PM

Guest :

I agree with those who don't like the switch to an online format for the magazine. I have been a subscriber for years and I looked forward to getting the magazine in the mail and being able to sit down and read it. (and also being able to refer to it if I need/wanted to). I do get the email newsletter, so I guess I will just have to make do with it. Sorry to see it go.

Bobbie LaFavor

Nov 2, 2009 4:26 PM

Guest :

Kraft is NOT going strictly ONLINE.

I just received my "last FREE issue" as they are now charging $6.99 for a one-year subscription! And that's just the preferred rate. The original is something like $13.98.

That's right. For a magazine that pushes THEIR products ONLY. The nerve. They reduce the size of product packaging and charge the same if not more for the original packaging, and then have the nerve to charge so they can advertise on our dime. Kraft must be in the hole!

Nov 3, 2009 10:38 AM

Guest :

Love the magazine, but I won't be purchasing the magazine. I bought their products after reading it and I feel like I'm doing enough as a consumer for their company in doing that. Not happy with this decision they've made.

Nov 3, 2009 4:09 PM

Guest :

I just recieved my last FREE Food and Family magazine today. I was stunned when I saw that they are still going to publish it, but now you have to pay $13.98 for a years subscription or if a preferred customer it is only $6.99. I have enjoyed getting this magazine for free every quarter and have made several recipe's out of each one. Kraft makes tons of money when we make their recipes,so I am not pleased about having to pay for it now. I think it is going to be a mistake on their part because there are going to be those who cannot afford to buy the magazine and the products, and do not have access to a computer for the online version.

Nov 3, 2009 4:10 PM

Guest :

34 Comments

Free Kraft Food & Family Magazine Online Now

Free Cooking Magazine by Kraft Shifts From Hard Copy to Online

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