News Release

WEST LAFAYETTE — Consumers are spending 6.9% more on food from the prior month, according to the May consumer survey from the Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability at Purdue University.

Other information from the survey included:

• Consumers’ reported food spending is “only” 4.3% higher than a year ago.
• Food insecurity is up to 16% from 14% but remains within the same 3 percentage-point range we have seen since January 2022.
• Grocery stockouts continue to trend downward, hitting their lowest point since January 2022, as few foods are hard to come by.
• Thrifty food spenders (<$50 /week) are more likely to shop at and purchase food at dollar stores.
• Thrifty food spenders are also more likely to eat vegetarian, grow a food garden, and compost food scraps.
• Liberal food spenders ($85< /week) are only slightly more likely to be happy with their diets.

The survey-based report assesses food spending, consumer satisfaction and values, support of agricultural and food policies, and trust in information sources. Purdue experts conducted and evaluated the survey, which included 1,200 consumers across the U.S.

For more information, go online to see a Purdue analysis of the survey and the survey itself.