Overview

USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) estimates total food expenditures for all food consumed in the United States was $1.16 trillion in 2008. Food purchased for home consumption accounted for $599.9 billion or 51.5 percent of the total.

According to the ERS, spending on food away from home in 2008 was 48.5 percent or $565 billion. Restaurants, both full-service and fast food, account for about 78 percent of all food-away-from-home sales. According to the National Restaurant Association, U.S. adults purchase a restaurant snack or meal 5.8 times per week. The United States has 945,000 restaurants and foodservice outlets. The National Restaurant Association projects 2009 sales at $566 billion, up from $379 billion in 2000. 

U.S. consumers are spending a smaller percentage of their income on food. According to USDA, food expenditures by families and individuals as a share of disposable personal income was 9.6 percent in 2008, versus 11 percent in 1988. Food purchased for home consumption accounted for 5.6 percent of total U.S. disposable personal income in 2008. Food purchased away from home accounted for 4 percent of disposable personal income in 2008.

The USDA compiles four food plans for individuals and families for food consumed at home in the United States. Separate food plans are compiled for Alaska and Hawaii. Weekly and monthly costs are calculated for the thrift, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal food plans. Based on data from June 2008, food for a single male, age 19-50 cost $39.10 a week on the thrifty model and $76 a week on the liberal cost plan. A single female, age 19-50 spent $34.90 a week on the thrifty model and $68.80 a week on the liberal food cost plan. The cost of food for a family of four with children ages 6-8 and 9-11 was estimated at $135.80 per week on the thrifty food model and $265.70 on the liberal cost plan. The food plans only accounted for meals and snacks prepared for home consumption.

Sources

Food CPI and Expenditures: Food Expenditure Tables, Economic Research Service, USDA.

National Restaurant Association.

USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA. 

AgMRC-Developed Information

• Does 5-a-Day Pay?, Agricultural Issues Center (AIC) Issues Brief no. 27, University of California, 2004 - This study examines potential gains to growers from increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables to recommended levels in a cancer prevention diet.
• The Expanding U.S. Market for Fresh Produce, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2004 - Examines why U.S. produce consumption is increasing.

Economic Research Service, USDA

• The Demand for Food Away from Home: Full Service or Fast Food, 2004 - This report explains how population trends and rising incomes will affect spending on food purchased away from home. It includes estimates for growth rates in food spending at full-service and fast food restaurants.
• Diet Quality & Food Consumption, Briefing Room.
• Food Availability - The food consumption (or 'food disappearance') database contains data on nearly 300 commodities, and information concerning population, the nutrient content of the food supply, and prices and expenditures related to food consumption.
• Food Consumption (per capita) Data System.
• Food Expenditure Forecasts (tables), Stats through 2008.
• Food Marketing and Price Spreads, Briefing Room.
• From Supply Push to Demand Pull: Agribusiness Strategies for Today’s Consumers, Amber Waves, 2003 - This article said changing demographics in the United States are driving changes in consumer demand for food products. 
• Household Food Spending by Selected Demographics in the 1990s - Includes food expenditures based upon income and other demographic characteristics.
• How Much Time do Americans Spend Eating? Amber Waves, 2008.
• Insidious Consumption: Surprising Factors that Influence What we Eat & How Much, Amber Waves, 2007.
• Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion - Monthly reports.
• Understanding Fruit and Vegetable Choices - Research Briefs, 2004. 

Other Information

• America's Changing Appetite: Food Consumption and Spending to 2020, FoodReview, Economic Research Service, USDA - America's appetite, like its population, is always changing. The nation's population is wealthier, older, more educated and more ethnically diverse. And these demographic changes are likely to become more pronounced. This review examines how these demographics will affect future food choices and how the food system will respond to such change. 
• Consumer Trends for 2009, Food Processing.com.
• Expenditures on Children by Families, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA - Yearly annual reports
• FMI Grocery Shopper Trends 2009: Recession Changing Consumers Shopping Behavior at the Supermarket, Food Marketing Institute, 2009.
• The Food Channel's Top 10 Trends for 2009, The Food Channel.
• Food Forecast 2009, Institute of Food Technologists.
• Food Surveys Research Group, Agricultural Research Service, USDA - This site offers data on U.S. food and nutrient intakes and the nutrient content of 13,000 foods.
• Gourmet Retailer Trends, The Gourmet Retailer - Read about the latest trends in the gourmet industry.
• Health Continues to Dominate Bakery Trends, Bakery and Snacks.com, 2008.
• Moms Struggling with Finances While Trying to Feed and Take Care of Family: NPD Finds, The NPD Group, June 3, 2009.
• More Consumers Brown Bagging Lunch: NPD Finds, The NPD Group, 2008.
• Office of Consumer Goods Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce - This Web site provides outlook reports on processed foods, wine and appliances.
• Pizza Magazine, Pizza Marketing Quarterly's pizza business publication.
• Pork Debuts Four new Cuts to Retailers, Pork Board, 2008.
• Our Predictions for 2009, Epicurious - Scroll down to see articles.
• Times & Trends, Grocery Manufacturers of America Inc. and the Information Resources Inc - This monthly publication provides statistics on new developments in food sales.
• Top 10 Food Trends for 2008, WebMD - Local foods, bold flavors and healthier choices will be hot.
• Trends in the Marketing of Fresh Produce and Fresh-cut Products, Roberta Cook, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2007.
• Wellness Food Trends for 2009, Food Processing.com.
• What's Cookin'? A Look at Consumer Food Trends, Better Homes and Gardens, What do consumers want?, 2003 - They seek a balance among three things: well-being, comfort and time management. The following observations of consumer trends are based on feedback from consumer panels conducted with Better Homes and Gardens readers and other trend reports.
• Consumer Trends and Opportunities, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, 2000.
  
  • An Overview.
  • Building a Base.
  • Fats, Oils and Sweets.
  • Protein Foods.

Links checked November 2009.