Annual consumption of homegrown fruits and vegetables declined

America’s first family will soon plant a vegetable garden at the White House to promote homegrown fruits and vegetables. According to The NPD Group, a leading market research company, annual eatings per American of homegrown fruits and vegetables have declined from 95 in 1984 to 28 in 2008.

“It's possible that the White House vegetable garden will renew the public's interest in homegrown fruits and vegetables,” says Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst at NPD and author of Eating Patterns in America. "There had been a steady decline in the consumption of homegrown produce, but it's leveled off the last few years."

According to Balzer, married couples, ages 65 to 75, eat the most homegrown fruits and vegetables out of any household group. Next is the 75 and older age group, followed by affluent empty nesters and then dual-income with no children.

“It appears that most gardeners do not have the distractions of raising a family, and have time on their hands,” he says. “They have the luxury of time to tend to all the tilling, planting, and weeding.”

By lifestage, % who are more or less likely to consume homegrown fruits and vegetables
Lifestage		+ More Likely
Married active seniors, 65 and up		+70 %
75 and up		+40%
Affluent empty nesters		+29%
Dual Income with No Kids		+13%
Low/middle income empty nesters		+12%
Low/middle income traditional families		+11%
Lifestage		- Less Likely
Affluent traditional families		-7 %
Single active seniors		-12%
Working parents		-16%
Single parents		-35%
Low/middle income singles		-41%
Affluent singles		-46%
Source: The NPD Group/National Eating Trends®

“How will the White House garden grow?,” says Balzer. “If it’s a typical American garden, it will grow with tomatoes, onions, green beans, cucumbers, and peppers, the most frequently consumed homegrown vegetables ─ and lots of hard work.”