In 2011, U.S. retailers and foodservice establishments supplied
$1.32 trillion of food to consumers in the United States. Since
2006, at-home food sales have accounted for just over half (51
percent) of total food expenditures, with the away-from-home market
accounting for 49 percent. In 1960, the away-from-home market had a
26-percent share of total food expenditures. Rising incomes and
busier lifestyles have led consumers to spend less time cooking and
seek the convenience of food prepared away from home. Both at-home
and away-from-home expenditures dipped in 2009 causing total food
expenditures to fall--from $1.22 trillion in 2008 to $1.21 trillion
in 2009. Total food expenditures rebounded to $1.25 trillion in
2010. This chart is based on data from the ERS Food
Expenditure Series data product, updated October
2012.