An Examination of College Students' Produce Consumption and Purchasing Behavior: A Case Study in California

This research finds that college students spend approximately $58 each week on total food purchases and almost $JO each week on food eaten away from home. College students allocate about 40 percent of their money spent on food eaten away from home to fast food and sit-down restaurants. College students spend roughly $18, or 32 percent of their food-purchase budget, on fruits and vegetables each week. They consume 2.35 servings of fruits each day, slightly higher than the USDA's recommendation. However, college students eat 1.87 servings of vegetables a day, which is almost a whole serving below the USDA's recommendation. This research finds that college-aged consumers are look­ing for more convenience and better prices among fruits and vegetables and may be more likely to buy more fruit and vegetable items if their needs were better met