Family food statistics
Annual statistics about food and drink purchases in the UK.
Family Food is an annual publication. It is the source of detailed statistical information on purchased quantities and expenditure derived from both household and eating out food and drink. Data is collected for a sample of households in the United Kingdom using self-reported diaries supported by till receipts of all purchases, including food eaten out, over a two week period. Where possible quantities are recorded in the diaries but otherwise estimated. Current estimates are based on data collected in the Family Food Module of the Living Costs and Food Survey and on adjusted data collected in the National Food Survey.
Accredited official statistics status
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. Accredited official statistics means that our statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value, and it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards.
Accredited official statistics are referred to as National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. An explanation can be found on the Office for Statistics Regulation website. Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics. We have also made improvements to enhance the quality of this publication by improving quality assurance procedures. Using web analytics data we have identified the most frequently viewed and downloaded data and reduced our reporting to concentrate on this. We have also switched from PDF to HTML publishing in order to improve accessibility for more users and user devices. We have also ceased to offer pre-release access to enhance trustworthiness.
These statistics were published for the first time in 2002. They were designated as National Statistics in June 2011 following a full assessment against the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Archived information
Family Food was first published in 2002. Copies of the publications for 2002 to 2010 are available from the National Archive
Historical estimates for 1940 to 2000 are also available from the National Archive at the same web address. These are based on information from the National Food Survey, the forerunner to the current survey.
Family Food Open Data release
Original data from the National Food Survey from 1974 to 2000 is now available as Open Data.
Family Food historic reports
The original National Food Survey historic reports from 1940 to 1984 are now available to download.
Related series
For further information please contact:
Defra statistics: family food
Email familyfood@defra.gov.uk
Defra Helpline: 03459 33 55 77 (Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5:30pm)