USDA Highlights 2018 Food Spending Habits

According to the USDA, American consumers spent $1.71 trillion on food and beverages in 2018.  Economic Research Service said spending at food-away-from-home establishments, restaurants, school cafeterias, sports venues, and other eating places, accounted for 54.4% of expenditures.  The remaining 45.6% took place at grocery stores, supercenters, convenience stores, and other retailers.

However, USDA says a 54.4% share of food expenditures does not equate to 54.4% of food quantities, as food purchased away from home is generally higher priced than food prepared at home.  Food-away-from-home outlets incur costs for the workers required to prepare and serve food, as well as for buildings, equipment, and utilities.  The away-from-home market, which accounted for about one-third of total food expenditures 50 years ago, and that category has grown through the decades, except in some recession years. During most of the 2007–09 recession, food away from home spending stayed at or just below 50% before rising to 50.1 percent in 2009 and continuing to grow.

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