Join NYU Libraries for an insightful discussion with some of our most esteemed panelists about how the conversation, study, and action around food has evolved over the last two decades. Together, we’ll reflect on 20 years of the Critical Topics in Food event series and examine the role that thoughtful community gatherings like these have played in shaping our collective dialogue about food. The Critical Topics in Food event series is a partnership between NYU Special Collections, NYU Steinhardt Department of Nutrition & Food Studies, and Clark Wolf.
by Marion Nestle
Jan
9
2011
Census Bureau releases food statistics
Thanks to the New York Times for telling us about the Census Bureau’s release of the 2011 Statistical Abstract of the U.S. This is lots of fun and the Times’ account picked out a few highlights of what has changed since 2000:
- The meat industry is contracting? Red meat consumption is 108.3 pounds per capita, down 5.4 pounds.
- Nutritionists! Uh oh: Vegetable consumption is 392.7 pounds per capita, down a shocking 30 pounds.
- The wine industry must be happy: Wine consumption is 2.5 gallons per capita, up by half a gallon.
- The establishment of organic standards in 2002 is working: Organic farmland covers 4.8 million acres, a 170% increase.
- Hold your nose: Five states—Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, and South Dakota—have more pigs than people.
You can pick out your own favorite food and nutrition factoids by taking a look at the health and nutrition and the Agriculture statistical tables. Fisheries has a section of its own. Enjoy!