Retirees are storing fewer foods at home - USA TODAY
Retirees are keeping fewer foods in their kitchens than folks their age did a decade ago, a new study shows. People ages 65 and older have an average of 221 food items in their pantries, refrigerators and freezers. By comparison, people ages 25 to 34 have an average of 188 food items, a number that has remained about the same over the past few years. Older adults are much more likely to have pork and beans and canned beets in the pantry than younger adults. There are lots of possible explanations for the drop in food items among the retirement-age group, says Harry Balzer, NPD chief industry analyst. " In some cases, people accumulate food items and don't even realize they have them, Balzer says. And these folks may not have the Great Depression-mentality, so they don't feel like they have to have a lot of food on hand "in case of the next economic meltdown," he says. "The Great Depression is long over as Baby Boomers join the retired ranks and store less food in their homes. The older generation stocks different foods than the younger set:. • Folks who are 65 and older are more likely to have these five items in their. Source: www.usatoday.com
