Family Food 2009

The Family Food 2009 annual report published by Defra recently showed that food prices were on average 5% higher in 2009 than in 2008 and consumers spent 3.6% more on food and drink. Food was less of a burden on low household incomes quintiles than in 2008 with the percentage spent on food and non-alcoholic drinks falling from 16.8% to 15.8% of total expenditure. In terms of calories consumers bought 1.2% more food but bought 3.1% less fruit and vegetables. Dietary nutrition indicators suggest a slightly negative shift in 2009. Defra also tells us in its WRAP survey that in 2008 15% of all food purchased was wasted.