Inflation is one of the key issues for voters heading to the polls in November. And yet, despite sustained high food costs, Americans are actually eating out more than ever before. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that close to 60 percent of American food spending is now outside the home—the highest it has ever been.
Part of the explanation for these trends is the COVID-19-initiated rise of delivery and takeout options, as well as the surging popularity of fast-casual dining. The USDA notes that "the pandemic led to shifts in how consumers bought food away from home, which lasted longer than the policies that initiated them."
