It's what's not inside that counts when consumers try to be more food-efficient. PEOPLE ECONOMIZE MORE when times are tough, and cutting food costs is at the top of the list. Dining out less often is an easy way to economize, and consumers are cutting back on meals eaten outside the home - to the detriment of restaurateurs and foodservice equipment makers. In this issue's report on commercial appliances, managing editor Yaling Lee reports on forecasted foodservice industry performance in 2009 and how foodservice equipment makers are helping operators cut cost through better energy efficiency and productivity. In the United States, the Department of Agriculture tracks food prices. The USDA said the Consumer Price Index of "all food" increased 5.5% from 2007 to 2008, for the biggest annual increase since 1990. The food-away-from-home increase was bad enough at 4.4%, but food-at-home increased a whopping 6.4%. The forecast is for somewhat less of an increase in 2009. Food-at-home is expected to go up 2.5 to 3.5%.
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