Food Consumption, Prices, and Expenditures, 1970-93

This report presents historical data on food consumption, prices, expenditures, and U.S. income and population. In 1993, Americans consumed, on average, 61 pounds more of commercially grown vegetables than in 1970; 54 pounds more of grain products; 48 pounds more of fruit; 23 pounds more of added sugars; 12 pounds more of added fats and oils; 12 pounds more of cheese; 11 pounds more of total red meat, poultry, and fish (boneless, trimmed equivalent); 5 gallons more of beer; 76 fewer eggs; 7 gallons less of coffee; and 6 gallons less of milk. Food prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.2 percent in 1993. This increase was less than the overall increase in the CPI for the third consecutive year. ~Americans spent $617 billion for food in 1993 and another $86 billion for alcoholic beverages. Away-from-homemeals and snacks captured 46 percent of the food dollar in 1993, up from 39 percent in 1980 and 34 percent in 1970. The percentage of disposable personal income spent on food declined from 13.9 percent in 1970 to 11.2 percent in 1993