From holiday feasts to new-year savings, U.S. food sales shift with the seasons

Food sales in the United States generally increase annually over time, even when adjusted for inflation, but distinct seasonal patterns emerge within each year. Food sales typically spike in December, during the holiday season, as consumers spend more on holiday-related foods, festivities, and dining experiences. This trend is evident in both food-at-home (FAH) and food-away-from-home (FAFH) categories. However, when the calendar flips to January, a noticeable downturn in food sales occurs. Average daily inflation-adjusted FAH sales in January 2022, 2023, and 2024 decreased more than 13 percent each year from the previous month. FAFH sales also saw a decline, dropping about 12 percent in 2022 and 2024 and 5 percent in 2023. This sales slump does not necessarily reflect a reduction in food consumption, but it does reflect changes in consumer behavior such as focusing on budget-conscious food spending in the new year. FAFH sales typically rebound quicker than FAH sales, rising steadily to a midyear peak in June then declining a bit before experiencing an uptick in December. FAH sales follow a similar trend of increasing after the dip in January but usually remain at lower levels overall before peaking in December. This chart is drawn from USDA, Economic Research Service’s Food Expenditure Series, updated in January 2025.