Progress 03/30/00 to 09/30/04
Outputs
This work has been completed and the project has been terminated. The findings indicate that the elderly population continues to grow and that the retiring "baby boomer" generation will likely have different taste and preferences for food products. This phenomenon makes it prudent to examine expenditure patterns of the current elderly and near retirement "baby boomers." The elderly spend more on non-alcoholic beverages than food products. For foods, older Americans spend the most on miscellaneous and prepared foods followed by dairy products and bakery/bakery products. The analysis indicates that income and sociodemographic factors influence elderly food expenditure levels. Income was found to have a relatively small effect on expenditures. Highly educated elderly households and single male households spend significantly more on food than other households. Single female and black elderly households spent less on food. What are the implications of a higher
proportion of elderly with different eating habits? Based on the current elderly food group, and as America's population grows older, growth in real per capita food expenditures may stagnate. However, we strees that these findings do not respresent the taste and preferences of "baby boomers" since the elderly food consumers in our sample are not members of the "baby boom" generation. Aging boomers will have different tastes and preferences and have been changing markets throughout their lives. We look for food items to change to meet the demands of this group. They have been eating out more--this pattern will continue. However, they may not eat as much when they become elderly adults. New value-added food products will likely buoy expenditures and become an offsetting factor to lower intakes of food at-home. An ERS manuscipt which presents the full analysis and results is in final review.
Impacts
The project produced a paper at one professional meeting, an Amber Waves Article, and one radio interview. Marriot Corporation also used some results for planning future operations of elderly housing.
Publications
- Harris, J., Blisard, W., 2002, "Food Consumption Patterns Among Elderly Age Groups", Journal of Food Distribution Research, Volume 33, Number 1, pp. 85-91
- Harris, J., Blisard, W., 2002, Food Review, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, September, 5 pp.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Results from the study were published in the Food Distribution Research Sociey Journal and also, ERS's Food Review. An ERS publication is forthcoming on this work. The results indicate that the rising number of elderly will present a challenge to the U.S. food industry. Elderly people generally eat lesser amounts than their younger counterparts. If baby boomers adopt the spending patterns of the present elderly, then the food industry should expect slow declines in almost all food categories. While the younger elderly will spend more per capita than the older elderly on sugars and sweets, poultry, nonalcoholic beverages, dairy, fresh vegetables, and cereal and bakery goods, these expenditures should decline as the younger elderly age. In fact, the only category that is expected to increase as the youger elderly age is fresh fruits.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Harris, J., Blisard, W., 2002, "Food Consumption Patterns Among Elderly Age Groups", Journal of Food Distribution Research, Volume 33, Number 1, pp. 85-91
- Harris, J., Blisard, W., 2002, Food Review, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, September, 5 pp.
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