APPLE BAUM SCHOLARSHIP PAPER Analysis of Socio-economic and Demographic Factors Affecting Food Away From Home Consumption: A Synopsis* by Rodolfo M. Nayga, Jr. Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Massey University, New Zealand Oral Capps, Jr. Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas Introduction U.S. consumers States spent nearly $550 billion for both food at home (FAH) and food away from home (FAFH) in 1991, up 6.4 percent from 1989. This total includes spending at all retail outlets (e.g. food stores, restaurants), at service establishments (e.g. meals at lodging places, snacks at entertainment facilities), plus allowances for food served in institutions (e.g. schools, hospitals), in the travel industry (e.g. airlines), and for military spending. Expenditures for FAH amounted to almost $300 billion, up 5.7 percent from 1989. Spending for FAFH, on the other hand, came to roughly $250 billion, 7.2 percent above the 1989 level (Food Retailing Review, 1991). In recent years, U.S. consumers have eaten an increased number of meals outside the home. Very roughly, the change has been from about one meal in four to about one in three, an increase of about 33 percent during the last 25 years (Manchester, 1990). As exhibited in Table 1, the share of food spending for FAFH rose from 26.6 percent in 1960 to 45.4 percent in 1990. In con- trast, the share of food spending allocated for FAH dropped from 73.4 percent in 1960 to 54.6 percent in 1990. Food expenditures continually take a smaller share of consumers’ disposable income. Food expenditures, as a percent of income, decreased from 16.3 percent in 1970 to 13.8 percent in 1989. The percentage of disposable income going to FAH has also declined from 10.8 percent in 1970 to 7,6 percent in 1989. In con- U - Synopsis of a Ph.D. dissertation, Texas A&M University, December 1991. For full details, see Nayga, 1991. Journal of Food Distribution Research February 93/page 69 —.