Spending habits vs. real food costs

Once again, the United States Department of Agriculture is a good source for basic information on food. I suppose that is not really much of a surprise the billions of dollars have to go somewhere. The latest food cost figures are from August of 2008. The lowest cost Food Plan is the Thrifty Plan. In this Plan, two adults are supposed to pay from $79.60 a week for the over 51 age group and $83.50 a week for the under 51 age group. For a family of four with young children under 5 years old, the amount is $121.10 per week. For a family of four with two children up to 11 years of age, the amount climbs to $139.10 per week or $7,233.20 per year. This Food Plan isn't based on some average figure but the USDA's standard nutritious diet.

Just in case you are wondering, here is the link to the study:

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodCost-Home.htm

The other three plans are more expensive. The Low-cost plan would have the following four costs per week: $101.80, $105.70, $153.10 and $179.70. The Moderate Cost Plan's cost per week: $125.10, $130,60, $188.20 and $223.40. The last one, the Liberal Plan's cost per week is: $150.40, $163.10, $233.00 and $271.80.

Spending with the Liberal Plan jumps to $14, 133.60 per year in food costs. The plans are based on the purchase of a hypothetical food basket which is determined by determining the average consumption of each of the USDA's food categories, the average price of each of the categories and nutrient profile and MyPyramid Equivalents Profile of each of the food categories.

Now what are these categories? The list is long, but here it is:

Table 1. Food categories and examples of foods in each category, Thrifty Food Plan, 2006
Food category Examples of foods
Grains
Breads, yeast and quick—whole grain (n = 38) Whole wheat, multigrain, or pumpernickel breads, rolls, bagels, scones, English muffins, biscuits, tortillas, and pancakes—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents1 from whole grain
Breads, yeast and quick—non-whole grain (n = 271) White, French, potato, bran, or rye breads and rolls; muffins, English muffins, bagels, waffles, corn tortillas, taco shells, cornbread, and pancakes—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Breakfast cereal—whole grain, regular calories2 Cooked cereals (e.g., oatmeal and bulgur) with sugars, fat, and whole milk or 2% milk added; (n = 74) sweetened ready-to-eat cereals (e.g., frosted wheats and granola)—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Breakfast cereal—whole grain, low calories2 Cooked cereals (e.g., oatmeal, bulgur, and buckwheat groats) without added sugars or fat; (n = 54) nonsweetened ready-to-eat cereals (e.g., shredded wheat and mueslix)—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Breakfast cereal—non-whole grain (n = 214) Cooked cereal (e.g., cream of wheat, grits, and oat bran); sweetened or nonsweetened readyto-eat cereals (e.g., frosted cornflakes and puffed rice)—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Rice and pasta—whole grain (n = 15) Brown rice, wild rice, whole wheat pasta (e.g., macaroni, spaghetti, and noodles)—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Rice and pasta—non-whole grain (n = 48) Long or short white rice, sweet rice, rice noodles and pasta (e.g., macaroni, spaghetti, and noodles)—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Cakes, pies, and other sweet bakery Oatmeal cookies, granola cookies, whole wheat doughnuts, granola bars, and graham crackers—products—whole grain (n = 20) all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Cakes, pies, and other sweet bakery Pies, cookies, pastries, doughnuts, shortbread; all cakes (e.g., white, yellow, shortcake, sponge, products—non-whole grain (n = 425) pound, and angel food); croissants; and sweet rolls—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Grain-based snacks—whole grain (n = 30) Popcorn, salty snacks, crackers, multigrain pretzels, and puffed wheat cakes—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Grain-based snacks—non-whole grain (n = 58) Crackers (e.g., soda, oyster, cheese, and rice); hard or soft pretzels; and salty snacks (e.g., tortilla chips)—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Grain mixtures—regular fat (n = 229) Foods such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, pizzas, egg rolls, and pasta and rice with meat where grain is major ingredient and containing 6% or more fat by weight
Grain mixtures—lowfat (n = 140) Foods such as rice and pasta with vegetables and/or beans, noodle or rice soups with vegetables and/or meat, and garden rolls where grain is major ingredient and containing less than 6% fat by weight
Vegetables and fruits
Potato products—regular fat (n = 34) French-fried potatoes, potato chips, hash browns, potato puffs, potato patty; and potato salads and mashed potatoes with added fat, eggs, or cheese
Potato products—lowfat (n = 60) Boiled, baked, scalloped, mashed, and stuffed potatoes; and potato salad, German style
Dark-green vegetables—added fat (n = 34) All dark-green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, chard, collard greens, mustard greens, and Dark-green vegetables—no added fat (n = 21) kale—with or without fat added
Orange vegetables—added fat (n = 28) All orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, winter squash, and sweet potatoes—with or Orange vegetables—no added fat (n = 28) without fat added
Tomatoes—added fat (n = 32) Tomato, tomato sauce, tomato puree, tomato paste, tomato soup, and tomato juice—with or Tomatoes—no added fat (n = 37) without fat added
Other vegetables—added fat (n = 136) All other vegetables such as green beans, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, green peas,
Other vegetables—no added fat (n = 163) iceberg lettuce, bell pepper, snow peas, turnip, and Brussels sprouts—with or without fat added
Mixed vegetables—added fat (n = 101) Foods such as stuffed vegetables, creamed peas and carrots, batter-dipped fried vegetables, and
Mixed vegetables—no added fat (n = 43) vegetable stir-fry where vegetables are the primary ingredient—with or without fat added
1The following each counts as 1 ounce-equivalent (1 serving) of grains: 1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta, or cooked cereal; 1 ounce dry pasta or rice; 1 slice of
bread; 1 small muffin (1 oz); 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal flakes.
2In this context, “calories” refers to total calories from discretionary solid fat and added sugars in the product. Discretionary solid fat in cereals is the fat that is solid at room temperature and is added to the cereals during processing or at the table.
Note: n refers to number of food codes in the food category.
Citrus fruits, melons, and berries (n = 62) Oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, and tangelos; melons (e.g.,watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew); berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
Citrus fruit, melon, and berry juices (n = 38) 100% fruit juices made from citrus fruits, melons, and berries
Fruits other than citrus fruits, melons, and berries Fruits such as bananas, apples, cherries, peaches, pears, grapes, plums, papayas, and apricots (n = 185)
Fruit juices other than citrus, melon, and berry 100% fruit juices made from fruits other than citrus fruits, melons, and berries (n = 70)
Milk products
Milk and milk-based foods—regular fat (n = 56) All fluid, evaporated, condensed, and dry whole milk; regular yogurt; all fluid creams; cream substitutes; cream cheese; and dips
Milk and milk-based foods—lower fat (n = 38) All fluid, evaporated, and dry reduced-fat and skim milks; buttermilk; and lowfat or nonfat yogurts
Cheese (n = 98) Natural, processed, and imitation cheeses; cottage cheese; cheese spreads; cheese dips; and cheese soups
Milk-based drinks and desserts—regular fat Milk-based drinks (e.g., malted milk, hot chocolate, eggnogs, cocoa, infant formulas, and (n = 125) meal-replacement drinks) with fat equivalent to that of whole milk; dairy desserts (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice milk, custard, and puddings) having more than 6% fat by weight
Milk-based drinks and desserts—lower fat Milk-based drinks made with reduced-fat or skim milk and dairy desserts having 6% or less fat (n = 136) by weight
Meat and beans
Red meats—regular discretionary solid fat,3 Beef (e.g., battered and fried steak, barbecued short ribs, and pot roast), pork (e.g., fresh ham, regular cost4 (n = 59) loin, and spareribs), lamb (e.g., roast), game meats, and jerky—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Red meats—regular discretionary solid fat, Pork (e.g., skin, ground, chop, roast, cutlet, and bacon), beef (e.g., brisket, short ribs, neck low cost4 (n = 61) bones, regular ground beef, and corned beef), lamb (e.g., ground or chop), and organ meats—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Red meats—low discretionary solid fat, Lean beef (e.g., steak, veal, and oxtail), lean only pork (e.g., roast, steak, fresh ham, and loin), regular cost (n = 62) lamb (e.g., ribs and loin chop), and game meats—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Red meats—low discretionary solid fat, Lean pork (e.g., lean spareribs and smoked or cured roast), lean only beef (e.g., brisket), low cost (n = 74) lamb (e.g., shoulder chop), and game meats—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Poultry—regular discretionary solid fat, Coated and fried poultry (e.g., breast, leg, thigh, and drumstick) purchased without skin—all regular cost (n = 50) with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Poultry—regular discretionary solid fat, Coated and fried dark meat (e.g., wing, thigh, and drumstick) purchased with skin; nuggets; and low cost (n = 42) organ meats of chicken, turkey, and game birds purchased with skin—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Poultry—low discretionary solid fat, Roasted or broiled poultry (e.g., breast, thigh, and drumstick) purchased without skin—all with regular cost (n = 54) the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Poultry—low discretionary solid fat, Smoked or roasted white and dark meat mixture or dark meat (e.g., thigh and drumstick) low cost (n = 156) purchased with skin (but skin not consumed); turkey and game birds purchased with skin (but skin not consumed); and canned chicken soups—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less

3Discretionary solid fat in meats is the fat that is solid at room temperature and is the excess fat from (1) the meat and beans group (including meats,
poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds) beyond amounts that would be consumed if only the lowest fat forms were eaten and (2) solid fats added to these
foods in preparation or at the table.
4The top 66.66 percent of foods were placed in the regular-cost category; the bottom 33.33 percent of foods, in terms of cost, were placed in the lowest cost category.
Note: n refers to number of food codes in the food category.

Fish—regular discretionary solid fat, Fish, pan-fried or baked with solid fat (e.g., fresh tuna, swordfish, trout, salmon, ocean perch, regular cost (n = 60) and porgy) and battered and fried shellfish (e.g., scallops, oyster, shrimp, and crab)—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Fish—regular discretionary solid fat, Fish sticks or other fried and battered fish (e.g., mullet, smelt, haddock, herring, and catfish)—all low cost (n = 54) with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Fish—low discretionary solid fat, Broiled, steamed, or smoked fresh fish (e.g., tuna, salmon) and fresh shellfish (e.g., crab and regular cost (n = 37) clams)—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Fish—low discretionary solid fat, Canned fish (e.g., tuna, sardines, and herring), canned shellfish (e.g., shrimp), and canned low cost (n = 54) seafood-based soups and chowders—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Lunch meats, sausages, and bacon—regular fat Sausages, salami, frankfurters, bologna, sliced ham, bacon, and pastrami (n = 55)
Lunch meats, sausages, and bacon—lowfat Sausages, salami, frankfurters, bologna, sliced ham, bacon, and pastrami containing 25% less fat (n = 41) than regular fat form
Eggs and egg mixtures (n = 69) Fresh, frozen, and dried eggs; egg substitutes; meringues; and egg mixtures
Meat, poultry, and fish mixtures— Meat, poultry, and fish with grains or vegetables with more than the median amount of regular discretionary solid fat (n = 345) discretionary solid fat
Meat, poultry, and fish mixtures— Meat, poultry, and fish with grains or vegetables with the median amount of discretionary solid low discretionary solid fat (n = 355) fat or less
Dry beans, peas, lentil dishes, and mixtures Black, red, pinto, lima, white, mung, and kidney beans and all types of peas—all with or without (n = 113) other foods; soybean products (e.g., miso, tofu, and soybean-based meat substitutes)
Nuts and seeds (n = 74) Nuts, peanut butter and other nut butters, nut mixtures, carob, and seeds (e.g., sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin)
Other foods
Fats, oils, salad dressings, sauces, and condiments Butter, margarine, vegetable oils (e.g., corn, olive, and sunflower), butter blends, salad oils, (n = 188) lard, shortenings, all salad dressings, mayonnaise, pickles, relishes, salsa, soy sauce, catsup, tomato paste, and gravies and sauces
Coffee and tea (n = 81) Instant, ground, and fluid coffees and teas with or without caffeine and with or without sugar or sweeteners
Fruit drinks, soft drinks, and ades—regular calorie Fruit drinks, cola- and pepper-type soft drinks, ginger ale, root beer, fruit punches, ades (e.g., (n = 89) lemonades and limeades), and other sodas containing sugar Fruit drinks, soft drinks, and ades—low calorie Sugar-free or low-sugar drinks such as cola- and pepper-type soft drinks, ginger ale, root beer, (n = 35) fruit-flavored drinks, fruit punches, ades, and other sodas
Sugars and sweets (n = 215) All types of sugars, sweeteners, and syrups (e.g., honey, jams, jellies, marmalades, preserves, icings, gelatin desserts, marshmallow, and fudge); all types of candies and chocolates; and chewing gum
Note: n refers to number of food codes in the food category.

Now, you are asking yourself, what is in these hypothetical food baskets? Basically a selection of the foods listed above. Just an observation, there are food items listed that we, as a family, have never, ever, in the whole history of the world, ever purchased.

More later.