Minority of Americans Purchase Food for At-home Consumption

(WASHINGTON, DC) U.S. consumers, businesses, and government entities spent $1.7 trillion on food and beverages last year according to information from the Economic Research Service. Spending at food-away-from-home establishments (restaurants, school cafeterias, sports venues, and other eating places) accounted for 54 percent of these expenditures, while the remaining 46 percent took place at grocery stores and other retailers. A 54 percent share of food expenditures, however, does not equate to 54 percent of food quantities. Since food purchased away from home is generally higher priced than food prepared at home, operating costs at restaurants account for almost 55 percent of the increased cost. Half a century ago, those operating costs were just one-third of total food expenditures. During most of the Great Recession (2009-2011), food away from home’s share of total food spending stayed right around the 50 percent mark but has grown to the new levels today in part due to a tight labor market.