Americans' Ability to Afford Food Nears Three-Year Low

The percentage of Americans reporting that they had enough money to buy the food they or their families needed continued to decline in October, nearing the record low seen in November 2008. The percentage who did not lack money for food in 2011 fell to 79.8% from 80.1% in September, continuing a decline that began in April.

I'd love to be able to dig a little deeper into these questions. The food questions, for instance. This question asks about anytime in the last 12 months, and I assume the same people who were called in October, weren't called in September. Also, how do you have over 90% saying they have no problem obtaining fresh fruits and vegetables, when 79.8 say they didn't have enough money to buy the food their family needed? I think the word "need" is key here. There are American families (I know this will shock you) who think soft drinks and pizza are a "need." I stand next to them in the check out lines. Also, a lot of people think everything they buy at the supermarket is "food" when in fact about 20-30% of the bill are health and beauty, or as we say in Ohio, taxables (we don't tax food here).

There is no question included in the survey about whether the interviewee knows how to cook, or does she/he just open a package or turn on the microwave. You can feed a lot of people with $5.00 of potatoes, a gallon of milk, and a pound of cheese, but not if you buy potatoes in a box with chives and dried cream sauce. There is no question included about where they shop. Last week at Marc's (deep discount and remainder store) a manager told me they did $20,000 more in October 2011 than October 2010. That says something that when squeezed, shoppers will change from the fancy, beautifully appointed, and widely displayed varieties of Giant Eagle at the Market, to the crowded, sort of rumpled, down at the heels Marc's where the staff never smiles or rushes up to help you.

One thing the charts in this survey show--during Obama's reign, basic needs have gotten worse in shelter, food, insurance, even the perception of safety (walking at night).
Americans' Ability to Afford Food Nears Three-Year Low