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
Federal assistance has helped, but the most recent row-crop losses remain on producers’ balance sheets.
OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh discusses the EPA’s new Right to Repair guidance and other regulatory developments impacting the trucking and agriculture industries.
Tyler Schuster is an ag industry advocate who mentors and supports the next generation, especially women finding their place in the cattle industry.
Rebuilding domestic textiles depends on automation and vertical integration, not tariffs or legacy manufacturing models.
Strong supplies and rising stocks point to continued price pressure unless demand accelerates.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lily Pryer’s passion shows how National FFA members are making an impact in classrooms and communities all across Rural America.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147, joined us with his 2026 cattle market outlook and insights on beef prices.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.
The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.