How much disposable income are consumers spending to put food on the table?

It comes as no surprise grocery proces have taken steep climbs in recent years.

New data from USDA shows just how much disposable income consumers are spending to put food on the table.

They found that in 2023, U.S. consumers spent around 11 percent of their disposable income on food, and that is right in line with spending levels in 2022.

“Food at home” purchases fell a couple of points during 2023, with “food away from home” jumping nearly half a percent.

They place the rise on more disposable income, with consumers starting to return to outside the home eateries.

Related Stories
Read the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s official press release published on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Joe Peiffer with Ag & Business Legal Strategies advises farmers on end-of-year financial planning, including preparing records, avoiding common credit mistakes, and evaluating equipment purchases for 2026.
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) discusses the gap in truck driver education programs and how it impacts road safety and supply chain economics.
Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
USTR Jamieson Greer signals a narrower trade deal with China, adding more market uncertainty. The Farm Bureau also supports reviewing China’s missed trade commitments under the Phase One.
Southern producers head into 2026 with thin margins, tighter credit, and rising agronomic risks despite scattered yield improvements.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Despite the need for swift action, many ag lawmakers and industry groups argue that farm aid alone will likely not be sufficient to help farmers without improved trade relations with China.
Tyson’s capacity cuts weaken local basis, tighten kill space, and heighten dependence on imports, signaling more volatility for producers.
2,400 turkeys were donated to Tracy Lawrence’s Turkey Fry after a refrigerated truck broke down, spoiling 650 turkeys
Former Market Day Report anchor Janet Adkison was inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame, recognizing over 20 years of service sharing stories that impact Rural America.
Jake Charleston, with Specialty Risk Insurance, joins us now for an industry update and advice for cattle producers as they consider options for managing the risks of a murky market.