Food Consumption & Demand

Consumer demand for food is an important element in the formulation of various agricultural and food policies. Food choices by U.S. households influence the types of crops that America's farmers grow, the prices farmers receive, and the way in which various crops are transformed into food products.

ERS research on food consumption examines:

the effects of food consumption choices on agriculture,
the behavioral and economic determinants of food and nutrient consumption,
interrelationships between spending on food and non-food items,
consumer valuation of quality, safety, and nutritional characteristics, and
the role of information in determining food choices.

Trends in U.S. Fruit Consumption Relative to Recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans The Economics of Cellular Agriculture Wheat Outlook: December 2024 Wheat Outlook: November 2024 Wheat Outlook: October 2024

See all

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

See all

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

See all

Food Choices & Health Diet Quality & Nutrition Obesity Food Access Food Prices, Expenditures, and Establishments

See all