I actually worked on the project on which the graphic in the Atlantic is based (and which, in turn, this piece is based on). We came up with different percenta

I actually worked on the project on which the graphic in the Atlantic is based (and which, in turn, this piece is based on). We came up with different percentages because we are looking at a wider swath of spending than this piece is. But here are our numbers for food spending (in billions of 2009 dollars): 1947: 468.7 1967: 637.1 2007: 1,230.2 You might conclude that we are spending dramatically more on food all around, but keep in mind the population of the US in 1947 was less than half what it is now, so those numbers aren't quite as dramatic as they appear. All indications are that on the whole we have much better access to high quality food now (we have more access to things like fresh fruit, and wine), though this is not necessarily true if you are poor.