Food Consumption, Prices, and Expenditures, 1970-97

摘要

This report presents historical data on food consumption, prices, expenditures,211u001eand U.S. income and population. In 1997, each American consumed, on average, 81 211u001epounds more of commercially grown vegetables than in 1970; 65 pounds more of 211u001egrain products; 57 pounds more of fruit; 32 pounds more of caloric sweeteners; 13 211u001epounds more of total read meat, poultry, and fish (boneless, trimmed equivalent); 211u001e17 pounds more of cheese; 13 pounds more of added fats and oils; 3 gallons more 211u001eof beer; 70 fewer eggs; 10 gallons less of coffee; and 7 gallons less of milk. 211u001eRetail food prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased 2.6 211u001epercent in 1997. Food price inflation in 1997 was higher than the overall 211u001eincrease in the CPI for all goods and services (2.3 percent) for the third 211u001econsecutive year. Americans spent $715 billion for food in 1997 and another $95 211u001ebillion for alcoholic beverages. Away-from-home meals and snacks captured 45 211u001epercent of the U.S. food dollar in 1997, up from 39 percent in 1980 and 34 211u001epercent in 1970. The percentage of disposable personal income spent on food 211u001edeclined from 13,8 percent in 1970 to 10.7 percent in 1997.