Per Capita Food Consumption Highlights for 1981

Per capita food consumption fell 7 pounds last year to 1,400 pounds, as Americans ate, on the average, less of both animal and crop products. Animal product usage dropped 5 pounds to 582 pounds in 1981, and crop product consumption declined 2 pounds to 818 pounds. Declines in pork, eggs, and whole milk were primarily responsible for the lower animal product consumption, while declining vegetable and potato consumption was greater than increases in other crop products.