datahud.ai // FOOD EXPENDITURE SERIES

The Great Food Dollar Migration

Share of US food spending going to food away from home (restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, everything someone else cooks), 1997–2025. The majority of the American food dollar now buys prepared food.

FAFH share, 2025

—

$1.41T of $2.51T

First crossed 50%

2004

never fell back below

Growth since 2010

~6%/yr

vs ~4% food at home

COVID crater

2020

57% → 52%... still the majority

FAFH % of food dollars, annual (USDA ERS) 50% — the majority line

SOURCE: USDA ERS Food Expenditure Series, June 2026 revision. Nominal food expenditures, all purchasers, with taxes and tips (FAFH ÷ total food). Same basis as the channel chart at datahud.ai/foodbev.