Total food-away-from-home expenditures in 2010 were $594 billion. Foodservice is categorized as commercial and noncommercial. Commercial foodservice includes fast food and full-service restaurants. According to the Economic Research Service, commercial foodservice accounted for about 77 percent of the food-away-from-home expenditures.

Noncommercial outlets prepare and serve meals as a support service to institutions and educational settings including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and child care centers. This segment accounted for about 23 percent of all food-away-from-home expenditures. All foodservice outlets compete with other food retail outlets including supermarkets and convenience stores to sell ready-to-eat products to consumers.


Source
Food Service, Food Marketing System in the U.S., Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.

Food CPI and Expenditures, ERS, USDA.


General

• Commercial Food Equipment Service Association - This is a trade association of professional service and parts distributors for the foodservice industry.
• Foodservice Central.com - Commercial site for industry professionals.
• Foodservice.com - Commercial site known as “the world’s largest foodservice community.”
• Foodservice Consultants Society International - An organization representing foodservice consultants.
• Foodservice Equipment & Supplies - A publication serving the foodservice equipment industry.
• FoodserviceWorld.com - Canadian publisher serving the foodservice, hospitality lodging and tourism markets.
• International Food Manufacturers Association - This trade association helps companies capitalize on new technology, chart new growth and stay competitive.
• Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry - Voice of the foodservice equipment, supply and furnishings manufacturers’ agent.
• Restaurant & Institutions - This magazine reports menu and business trends in commercial and noncommercial restaurants.
• Society for Foodservice Management - National association serving the needs and interests of executives in the onsite foodservice industry.

Commercial – Restaurants

• American Culinary Federation - Promotes the professional image of American chefs.
• Food Franchise.com - The online resource for fast food, quick service and takeout restaurant franchises.
• National Restaurant Association - The leading business association for the restaurant industry.
• Nation’s Restaurant News - A commercial publication covering the U.S. restaurant industry.
• QSR Online - This magazine covers the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. The Web site includes a list of the top 50 QSRs. 

Noncommercial – School Foodservice, Hotels, Institutions

• American School Food Service Association - This professional, nonprofit association is devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.
• Association for Healthcare Foodservice - A professional society dedicated to professionals and suppliers in the self-operated healthcare foodservice industry.
• The Center for Hospitality Research, Cornell University.
• Farm to School, Occidental College - This program helps link local food sources to schools.
• Farm to School programs, Food Environment Atlas, ERS, USDA.
• Food Management - This publication provides ideas and food trends for those in the noncommercial foodservice industry.
• Hotel Online - A Web site devoted to hospitality and hotel industry information.
• Institute of Hospitality, formerly the Hotel and Catering International Management Association.
• International Hotel and Restaurant Association - A global network of independent and chain operators, national associations, hospitality suppliers and educational centers in the hotel and restaurant industry.
• Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts, and Issues; ERS, USDA, 2010 - This comprehensive overview of local food systems explores alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems.
• National Association of College and University Food Services - This is the trade association for foodservice professionals at higher education institutions located in the United States, Canada and abroad. 

Foodservice/Retail Trends

• AgMRC-Developed Information
  • Food Industry Trade Shows, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University - Complete listing of national and international food trade shows to attend and/or showcase new food products to retailers and foodservice industry contacts.
    
• Other Information
  • Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, U.S. Census Bureau.
  • Fast Casual, Fast Casual.com - Ideas and trends for the fast casual restaurant. This site has a Top 100 section for different restaurant segments.
  • Food Ingredients First - A portal for unique content on food and beverage development.
  • Food Spending in American Households, 2003-04, ERS, USDA, 2007 - This study reviews at-home and away-from-home food spending by U.S. urban households.
  • Grocery Retailer Behavior in the Procurement and Sale of Perishable Fresh Produce Commodities, ERS, USDA - This study looks at retailer pricing behavior for selected produce items.
  • How Big is the Local Foods Appetite? Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, 2009 - A Minnesota survey lists challenges for farmers wishing to supply food to foodservice. 
  • Pies Top 2011 Restaurant Trend List, Nation's Restaurant News, 2010.
  • U.S. Fresh Produce Markets: Marketing Channels, Trade Practices and Retail Pricing Behavior, ERS, USDA, 2003 - This report examines how changes in the produce market affect market influence of producers, retailers and consumers.

• Links to Other Sites
  • Institute for Grocery Distribution - This organization provides research and information for the food industry in the United Kingdom and international. It offers publications and research reports and retail and consumer trends for a fee.
  • Progressive Grocer - This publication covers the food retailing industry. It reports daily news on the homepage.

Links checked January 2012.