Household Makeup Shapes Food Choices and Spending Trends

By Andi Anderson

A new report from Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability (CFDAS) highlights how household makeup shapes food behavior, spending, and diet quality across the United States.

The September Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI), based on responses from 1,200 consumers, explores perceptions of the food supply chain, diet sustainability, and food security.

According to the findings, consumers continue to trust farmers and ranchers most among food system players. “Consumers generally believe that groups within the food value chain act in their best interest,” said Joseph Balagtas, director of CFDAS and lead author of the report. However, most respondents attribute food taste and nutrition mainly to manufacturers rather than producers.

Forty percent of consumers said manufacturers have the greatest influence on food taste, compared to 22% who credited farmers. For nutrition, 30% identified manufacturers as most influential.

Food retailers were viewed as the main drivers of affordability, with satisfaction ratings lower for price (5.2/10) than for taste (7.7/10) or nutrition (6.3/10).

CFDAS research assistant Lourival Monaco noted that many consumers remain unsure about the roles different sectors play. “Helping consumers understand how all groups contribute to making food tasty, affordable, and nutritious could be valuable for food producers,” he said.

The quarterly update of the Sustainable Food Purchasing (SFP) Index found that U.S. diets remain relatively unchanged. Consumers prioritize taste, cost, and security over environmental or social sustainability. The average Mini-EAT diet score stood at 62.5, indicating intermediate diet quality.

While households with children show slightly more sustainable purchasing habits, they still face higher food insecurity — 15.6% compared to 13.3% for those without children. “This disparity highlights the added challenges families face in maintaining consistent access to food,” said Elijah Bryant, CFDAS analyst.

Average weekly food spending in September reached $130 on groceries and $76 on dining out. Families with children reported eating out nearly one extra meal weekly, often favoring convenience options like takeout.

These findings underscore how household composition influences food decisions, balancing convenience, affordability, and sustainability in shaping the modern American diet.

Photo Credit: purdue-university