What We Eat
All data from USDA ERS 2008
All numbers are a percent of our total calories per capita per day
| Year | Meat/Nuts/Eggs | Dairy | Fruit | Vegetables |
1970
1980
1990
2000
2006 | 20.3%
19.5%
17.8%
16.8%
17.5% | 13.3%
12.4%
12.0%
10.5%
10.4% | 3.1%
3.5%
3.4%
3.3%
3.2% | 5.7%
5.2%
5.1%
4.9%
4.7% |
| Year | Flour and Cereal Products | Added Fats | Added Sugars | Total Calories |
1970
1980
1990
2000
2006 | 20.0%
21.1%
23.7%
23.4%
22.9% | 19.0%
19.9%
19.6%
22.7%
23.8% | 18.6%
18.4%
18.4%
18.5%
17.5% | 2,160
2,202
2,422
2,715
2,679 |
Find out more on:
Fruit Consumption Data
Veggie Consumption Data
Meat, Egg, Dairy, and Nut Consumption
Sweeteners (Calories Per Capita Per Day)
1970: 343.0 sugar, 53.6 corn sweeteners
1980: 281.9 sugar, 119.1 corn sweeteners
1990: 217.0 sugar, 225.3 corn sweeteners
2000: 220.9 sugar, 275.7 corn sweeteners
2006: 210.1 sugar, 252.8 corn sweeteners
(I assume the recent decrease in caloric sweeteners has a lot to do with the introduction of Splenda.)
Where We Buy Our Food
| Outlet Type | 1986 | 1996 | 2006 |
| Conventional Supermarkets | 65.3 | 58.2 | 57.7 |
Other Grocery
(Small, neighborhood stores) | 14.3 | 15.8 | 3.4 |
| Specialty Food Stores | 5.8 | 2.6 | 2.7 |
Supercenters and wholesale club stores
(SuperTarget, Wal-Mart Supercenter) | 0.4 | 4.3 | 17.9 |
Mass merchandise stores
(Target, Wal-Mart) | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.7 |
| Convenience Stores | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Home deliveries/mail order | 1.2 | 2.8 | 3.8 |
| Farmers/processors/wholesalers | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.8 |
| Other Stores | 6.2 | 10.1 | 9.2 |
Source: USDA Report on Supply Chain and Food Marketing 2008
Farmers Markets, CSAs, and Roadside Stands
# of CSAs 1990: 60
# of CSAs 2007: 1150
States with the Most Farmers Markets (USDA AMS 2007)
- California
- New York
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- Ohio
- Kentucky
U.S. Demand for Locally Grown Food:
2002: $4 billion
2007: $5 billion
2012 (estimated): $7 billion
Indeed, the popularity of farmers markets has grown so rapidly in the United States that a recent national survey reports that 2 percent of U.S. food shoppers now say farmers markets are their primary food shopping venue.
Source: USDA Report on Supply Chain and Food Marketing 2008
Farm To School:
# of Programs: 2016
# of Schools: 8776
The Organic Outlook
Organic Food Sales
1990: $1 billion
2007: $20 billion (estimated)
2008: $23.6 billion (projected)
Source: Organic Trade Association 2008 mini-fact sheet
Organic Market Growth & Penetration
1998: 19.2% growth, 0.9% penetration
1999: 17.6% growth, 0.9% penetration
2000: 21.0% growth, 1.2% penetration
2001: 20.7% growth, 1.4% penetration
2002: 17.3% growth, 1.6% penetration
2003: 20.2% growth, 1.9% penetration
2004: 14.6% growth, 2.2% penetration
2005: 16.2% growth, 2.5% penetration
2006: 20.9% growth, 2.8% penetration
Source: Organic Trade Association 2007 Manufacturer Survey
In 2006, according to the Organic Trade Association, organic food market broke down as follows (numbers reflect percent of total organic sales):
Fruit & Veg: 40.0%
Dairy: 16.0%
Beverages: 13.0%
Packaged: 12.0%
Bread & Grains: 10.0%
Snack Foods: 4.8%
Sauces: 2.4%
Meat: 2.0%
Total: $16.718 billion (100%)
According to the Organic Trade Association, about 7 percent of U.S. organic food sales in 2005 occurred through direct sales at farmers markets and other nonretail direct market outlets (including sales to foodservice customers). In contrast, only 3.9 percent of all U.S. food sales in 2005 were made through any form of direct sale or home/mail order delivery.
Source: USDA Report on Supply Chain and Food Marketing 2008
Obviously, the numbers aren't in for organics in 2008 just yet. Since the economy totally tanked, particularly in the last few months of the year, I think it's reasonable to expect the organic market to take a hit. However, from what I've heard, organics will continue to see growth, just not at the high levels they did in the past several years. Existing organic shoppers are committed and willing to find ways to keep buying organic (i.e. grow some at home, stop buying expensive packaged foods, etc). With the economic situation, it seems that the biggest hit to organics will be in new customers - those who haven't given organics a try yet, who may be struggling financially now and less willing than ever to pay more for their food.
GMOs
Percent of All U.S. Soybeans Planted that were GMO (herbicide tolerant):
2000: 54
2001: 68
2002: 75
2003: 81
2004: 85
2005: 87
2006: 89
2007: 91
2008: 92
Percent of All U.S. Upland Cotton Planted that is GMO:
2000: 61
2001: 69
2002: 71
2003: 73
2004: 76
2005: 79
2006: 83
2007: 87
2008: 86
Of all cotton planted in 2008, 18% was Bt cotton, 23% was herbicide tolerant, and 45% were "stacked gene varieties" (which I assume means both herbicide and pest resistant). Could the decrease in GMO cotton between 2007 and 2008 have anything to do with the increase in organic cotton in the last year?
Percent of All U.S. Corn Planted That is GMO:
2000: 25
2001: 26
2002: 34
2003: 40
2004: 45
2005: 52
2006: 61
2007: 73
2008: 80
Of all corn planted in 2008, 17% was Bt corn, 23% was herbicide tolerant, and 40% were "stacked gene varieties."
Source: Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.
Obesity by State (2007)
| 30% and Up | 25%-29.9% | 20% to 24.9% | Below 20% |
1. Mississippi: 32.0%
2. Alabama: 30.3%
3. Tennessee: 30.1% | 4. Louisiana: 29.8%
5. West Virginia: 29.5%
6. Arkansas: 28.7%
7. South Carolina: 28.4%
8. Georgia: 28.2%
9. Oklahoma: 28.1%
10. Texas: 28.1%
11. North Carolina: 28.0%
12. Michigan: 27.7%
13. Alaska: 27.5%
13. Missouri: 27.5%
13. Ohio: 27.5%
13. Rhode Island: 27.5%
17. Kentucky: 27.4%
17. Delaware: 27.4%
19. Pennsylvania: 27.1%
20. Iowa: 26.9%
20. Kansas: 26.9%
22. Indiana: 26.8%
23. North Dakota: 26.5%
24. South Dakota: 26.2%
25. Nebraska: 26.0%
26. Minnesota: 25.6%
27. Oregon: 25.5%
27. Arizona: 25.4%
27. Maryland: 25.4%
30. Washington: 25.3%
31. New York: 25.0% | 32. Illinois: 24.9%
33. Maine: 24.8%
34. Wisconsin: 24.7%
35. Idaho: 24.5%
36. New Hampshire: 24.4%
37. Virginia: 24.3%
38. Nevada: 24.1%
39. New Mexico: 24.0%
40. Wyoming: 23.7%
41. Florida: 23.6%
42. New Jersey: 23.5%
43. California: 22.6%
44. Montana: 21.8%
44. Utah: 21.8%
44. Washington DC: 21.8%
47. Hawaii: 21.4%
48. Massachusetts: 21.3%
48. Vermont: 21.3%
50. Connecticut: 21.2% | 51. Colorado: 18.7% |
Industry Concentration
From CONCENTRATION OF AGRICULTURAL MARKETS April 2007 by Mary Hendrickson and William Heffernan
Note: CR4 is the concentration ratio (relative to 100%) of the top four firms in a specific food industry. An industry is considered consolidated if its CR4 is 40% or higher.
Beef Packers CR4
1990: 72%
1995: 76%
1998: 79%
2000: 81%
2005: 83.5%
2007: 83.5%
(Note: This increased in 2008 when JBS Swift bought Smithfield Foods, formerly the 5th largest beef packer.) | 2007 Daily Slaughter Capacity
1. Tyson: 36,000 head
2. Cargill: 28,300 head
3. Swift & Co: 16,759 head
4. National Beef Packing Co: 13,000 head |
Pork Packer CR4
1987: 37%
1989: 34%
1990: 40%
2001: 59%
2005: 64%
2007: 66% | 2007 Daily Slaughter Capacity
1. Smithfield Foods: 102,900
2. Tyson Foods: 72,800
3. Swift & Co.: 46,000
4. Cargill: 36,000 |
Broiler Industry CR4
1986: 35%
1990: 44%
1994: 46%
1998: 49%
2001: 50%
2007: 58.5% | 2007 Top Producers
1. Pilgrim's Pride
2. Tyson
3. Perdue
4. Sanderson Farms
Note: The CR2 in this sector is 47%. |
Turkey Industry CR4
1998: 31%
1992: 35%
1996: 40%
2000: 45%
2005: 51%
2007: 55% | 2007 Slaughter Capacity
1. Butterball LLC: 1,420 Million lbs
2. Hormel Foods (Jennie-O Turkey Store): 1,265 Million lbs
3. Cargill: 961 Million lbs
4. Sara Lee: 260 Million lbs |
Ethanol Production CR4
1987: 73%
1995: 73%
1999: 67%
2002: 49%
2007: 31.5%
Million Gallons/Year (Capacity)
1. ADM: 1070
2. US Biofuels: 250
3. VeraSun Energy Corporation: 230
4. Hawkeye Renewables: 220
Note: Farmer owned ethanol plants accounted for 39% of total capacity.
Dairy Processors in U.S. and Canada
Annual Sales
1. Dean Foods: $10,106 Million
2. Kraft Foods: $4,400 Million
3. Land O'Lakes: $3,901 Million
4. Saputo Inc.: $3,461 Million
Notes: Over 40% of Saputo Inc. plants are in Canada.
U.S. Food Retailing CR5
1997: 24%
2001: 38%
2004: 46%
2005: 48%
Sales in Thousands
| Supermarket | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | Change
'04-'06 |
| 1)Wal-Mart | $ 98,745,400 | $ 79,704,300 | $66,465,100 | 48.57% |
| 2)Kroger | $ 58,544,668 | $ 54,161,588 | $46,314,840 | 26.41% |
| 3)Albertson's | $ 36,287,940 | $ 36,733,840 | $31,961,800 | 13.54% |
| 4)Safeway | $ 32,732,960 | $ 29,359,408 | $29,572,140 | 10.69% |
| 5)Ahold | $ 23,848,240 | $ 21,052,200 | $25,105,600 | -5.01% |
Top U.S. Food Processors
2005 Food Sales ($millions)
1. Tyson Foods Inc. 23,899
2. Kraft Foods Inc. 23,293
3 Pepsico Inc. 21,186
4. Nestle (US & Canada) 19,941
5. Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. 11,546
6. Dean Foods Co. 10,505
7. General Mills 9,803
8. Smithfield Foods Inc. 9,614
9. ConAgra Foods Inc. 8,195
10. Swift & Company 7,847
Commodities Grown
All numbers are taken from the PDF "Commodities in U.S. by Acreage 2008" from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. All numbers given are the number of acres planted (as opposed to harvested) unless specified.
Of all of our commodities grown, here is the percent each one makes up in acres planted:
Crop
Corn:
Soybeans:
Wheat:
Hay:
Cotton:
Sorghum:
Barley:
Oats:
Rice:
Sunflower:
Peanuts:
Sugarbeets:
Canola:
Potatoes:
Sugarcane:
Flaxseed:
Tobacco:
Safflower:
Sweet Potatoes: | 2007
29.25%
19.89%
18.89%
19.26%
3.38%
2.41%
1.26%
1.18%
0.86%
0.64%
0.38%
0.40%
0.37%
0.36%
0.27%
0.11%
0.11%
0.06%
0.03% | 2008
26.95%
23.00%
19.58%
18.65%
2.58%
2.24%
1.27%
1.07%
0.89%
0.67%
0.45%
0.33%
0.31%
?
0.27%
0.11%
0.10%
0.06%
0.03% | Change in Acres Planted '07-'08
-7%
+17%
+5%
-2%
-15%
-6%
+3%
-8%
+5%
+5%
+19%
-15%
-15%
?
-1%
-2%
-4%
+6%
+3% |
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