http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cesan.pdf

Reports that average annual consumer expenditures rose 1.7% in 2008 following an increase of 2.6% in 2007. Increases in spending for housing and food were somewhat offset by decreases in spending for transportation, and apparel. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58e1005a1.htm

Summarizes the results of an analysis that showed the percentage of secondary schools in which students could not purchase candy, salty snacks, soda pop or sports drinks and the trend from 2002 to 2008. Tables provide individual state percentages for 40 states for snacks and 34 states for soda pop or sports drinks. Includes Virginia in both tables. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB58/EIB58.pdf

Reports that organic foods accounted for $21 billion in retail sales in 2008, compared to $3.6 billion in 1997. Describes developments in the organic food delivery chain as a whole and component categories. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/acsbr08-8.pdf

Reports that 9.8 million or 8.6% of U.S. households received food stamps/SNAP benefits in 2008. Shows the number and percentage of households receiving federal food benefits by state. From the Census Bureau.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB56/EIB56.pdf

Reports that nearly 16% of households with children were food insecure sometime during 2007, including 8.3% in which children were food insecure and 0.8% in which one or more children experienced very low food security--the most severe condition measured. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR81/ERR81.pdf

Reports that agricultural and wildlife smuggling primarily include luxury goods, ethnic foods, and specialty goods, such as traditional medicines. Most smuggled agricultural goods originate in Mexico and China. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CCR57/CCR57.pdf

This study examines the economic coping strategies of low-income families using data collected in 2006-2009 with 35 low-income women residing in the Detroit metro area. Finds that rising food prices forced cutbacks in purchase of basic foods and almost half reported running out of food sometime during the year. Also discusses the role of the Food Stamp Program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/FAU/2009/08Aug/FAU125/FAU125.pdf

Reports faster import growth trends for consumer-ready foods such as processed food products. From the Economic Research Service

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CCR53/CCR53.pdf

Among other results, shows that elibible elementary school students are more likely to participate in the school lunch program than middle or high school students. From the Economic Research Service.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CCR55/CCR55.pdf

Examines the dietary patterns of school meal program participants/nonparticipants and the relationship between school meal participation and children's Body Mass Index. From the Economic Research Service.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AP/AP036/AP036.pdf

Argues that a small percentage of consumers are constrained in their ability to obtain affordable nutritious food because they live far from a supermarket or large grocery and do not have adequate transportation. From the Economic Research Service.