Food Consumption

ERS tracks the supply of food available for consumption in the United States and examines consumer food preferences by age, income, region, race, whether people eat at home or away, and other characteristics. Descriptive statistics of commodity consumption help to inform growers about who consumes their commodities, how and where their commodities are used, and how much is consumed. The information enables the food and agriculture industry to improve its promotion strategies, and USDA used it to complete a regulatory analysis for nutrition labeling on beef.

In addition to descriptive studies, ERS has conducted regression analyses to better understand the factors affecting food consumption as well as to predict consumption.

Wheat Outlook: April 2024 Development of the Food-at-Home Monthly Area Prices Data Wheat Outlook: March 2024 Wheat Outlook: February 2024 Wheat Outlook: January 2024

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New Analysis Approach Illuminates Differences in Food Spending Across U.S. Populations People Working From Home During the Pandemic Spent Less Time Eating Away From Home Fluid Milk Consumption Continues Downward Trend, Proving Difficult to Reverse Racial and Ethnic Diversification Will Likely Shape U.S. Food Demand and Diet Quality Higher Aggregate Incomes Buoyed U.S. Food Spending During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Recession

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Food Consumption and Nutrient Intakes FoodAPS National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System Food Environment Atlas Food Price Outlook

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Food Consumption & Demand Food Choices & Health Diet Quality & Nutrition Obesity Food & Nutrition Assistance

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