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Pandemic sways most Americans to eat at home more often

Acosta study reveals meal planning, food shopping challenges

Russell Redman

September 11, 2020

3 Min Read
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According to Acosta research, 31% of consumers are now eating lunch at home every day versus 18% pre-COVID, and 33% are eating dinner at home daily versus 21% pre-COVID.FMI-The Food Industry Association

More than half of U.S. consumers have been eating at home more often since the coronavirus outbreak, which has brought challenges in shopping and meal planning, a new survey by CPG sales and marketing firm Acosta finds.

Fifty-five percent of shoppers polled said they’ve been eating at home more frequently during the pandemic, according to Acosta’s “COVID-19: Reinventing How America Eats” study, released yesterday. The findings are based on online surveys of Acosta’s proprietary shopper community between July 8 and 15, as well as industry data and proprietary information sources, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based company said.

The findings show a sizable change in eating habits versus before the health crisis. Among respondents, 44% report eating breakfast at home daily, compared with 33% pre-COVID.  Similarly, 31% are eating lunch at home every day versus 18% pre-COVID, and 33% are eating dinner at home daily versus 21% pre-COVID.

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Opting to eat at home, however, has raised some issues for consumers when it comes to meal planning, Acosta’s research revealed. Forty-five percent of those surveyed cited concerns about exposure to COVID-19 when food shopping at the grocery store, while 40% said they’re challenged in having to plan different meals on a daily basis. Some respondents also found themselves lacking a food/ingredient needed to make a meal (38%), needing to improve their cooking skills (17%) and having limited to plan and prepare meals due to other household responsibilities.

Related:Family meals take on renewed value amid pandemic

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And cooking isn’t for everyone. The study found that 25% of shoppers are tired of having to do more cooking, whereas 35% of consumers said they’ve discovered a new passion for cooking amid the pandemic.

“With more than half of consumers eating at home more often and some with less money to spend, there are a myriad of challenges and opportunities for retailers and manufacturers to navigate,” according to Colin Stewart, executive vice president of business intelligence at Acosta.

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Even after the pandemic winds down, many U.S. consumers won’t be flocking to restaurants and other foodservice venues. Of shoppers polled by Acosta, 47% said they aim to eat breakfast out less often (18%) or not at all (29%) post-pandemic. Likewise, 33% plan to eat lunch out less often (24%) or not at all (9%), and 29% said they would eat dinner out less often (22%) or not at all (7%). Consumers cited concerns about the effects of COVID-19 and saving money as the top reasons for clamping down on eating out post-COVID.

Related:As pandemic continues, U.S. grocery consumers anxious about rising food prices, economic health

“The implications of staying at home and reduced commutes are far-reaching and jolted channel trends,” Stewart noted. “Foodservice sales surpassed retail food and beverage sales in 2015 and were expected to continue to gain share, until the pandemic hit. Now, even the best-case scenario for foodservice will end the year in the red. Other trends, like e-commerce, have been accelerated, with online food, beverage and alcohol spend expected to increase 30% this year.”

In its “COVID-19: Reinventing How America Eats” report, Acosta estimated that restaurant/foodservice industry consumer spend will drop from just under $850 billion in 2019 to more than $600 billion in a best-case scenario for 2020 and to just over $550 billion in the event of a second COVID wave this year. Restaurant/foodservice sectors least affected under those scenarios would be quick service and fast casual, while midscale, casual and fine dining would see consumer spend plunge by 31% to 50%.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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