A Profile of Food Consumption Trends in the United States

Abstract

In recent decades, gradual changes have been occuring in the socioeconomic environment and the demographic structure of the U.S. population. These changes, in combination with technological advancements in agriculture and marketing, have significantly influenced food consumption patterns. Changing food consumption patterns as well as emerging sources of food supply are impacting the entire food industry. To insure industry growth, food professionals need to continually monitor the activities and lifestyles of the buying public. The objectives of this article are: to provide an overview of food consumption trends during the last two decades, to identify factors responsible for such changes and finally, to discuss the effects of changes in domestic demand on the food industry.