Following the official announcement by the National Bureau of Economic Research that the U.S. is in a recession, West Coast poultry producer Foster Farms today released new survey findings examining how the economy is impacting consumer lives, from grocery shopping and meal preparation to holiday giving plans.

The survey findings indicate that West Coast consumers have been heavily impacted by the recession and that they have already adapted their shopping and cooking habits to increase savings. At the same time, these households see a silver lining in their ability to control grocery shopping and food preparation costs more than other areas of daily life (such as commuting, housing, etc.). The findings also suggest that consumers are moving away from viewing food as entertainment and are eating healthier by going back to basics. Highlights include:

– West Coast families have been hit hard by the economy with one in four respondents having been personally affected by job loss or foreclosure and 40% of respondents knowing two to five people who have been similarly affected.
– The majority (54.7%) of consumers surveyed said grocery shopping has become more difficult compared to last year.
– 22% of West Coast consumers are having difficulty or can no longer afford to feed their family the way they liked due to the cost of groceries.
– Despite the poor economy and rising food prices, 78% of consumers said that grocery shopping is something that they feel they can control, versus other economic factors.
– 78.5% of those surveyed said they are now shopping smarter and feel a sense of accomplishment when they save. 35.6% said their family is eating healthier in this economy.
– 64.1% of respondents said they are eating at home at least one more night a week instead of going out.
– 87.6% of respondents agree that family meals provide a source of comfort.
– Despite the economy, most families (70.3%) will enjoy the same meals they always have over the holidays, without sacrificing quantity or the quality of foods prepared.

Dominick Lombardi gave the Harmons cashier a crisp $100 bill Friday morning and walked away with a gift card of the same value for the grocery store.

It’s a Christmas gift for his mother-in-law, said Lombardi, a Bountiful resident. “My mother-in-law takes care of plenty of kids and grandkids, and this is the best gift for her,” he said.

Usually, Lombardi and his wife buy her jewelry for Christmas and would never think of buying a card for groceries. “She’s a good shopper,” and she can always find deals, Lombardi said, but with rising food prices, stretching the dollar is harder than ever.

“In this day and age, with the economy the way it is, the thing you have to do is take care of food and gas,” Lombardi said. “Everything else is extra.”

The tables sit pristine, linens immaculate. The wine bottles are uncorked, the glasses bereft of fingerprints. In the back, the ovens are scorching in the kitchen.

But the customers – where are they?

“I look around: There’s nobody here,” said Michael Elpidoforos, owner/chef at Zabaglione, whose Italian dishes fetch an average of $24. “I’m ready to lock the door.”

In a time of perilous 401(k)s, a faltering stock market, and shaky job security, fine dining out, it seems, has been left to simmer on the back burner.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Related Posts:

1. Meijer Rewards Shoppers With Up to 20% Off Groceries This Holiday Season
2. Call 4 Action: Other Costs Down, But Food Prices Still High
3. Milk… does a body good
4. A little home cooking, store brands, white house garden
5. Shop warm, shop smart