Category: Us economy

Over 40% of all added caloric sweeteners in the US once came from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a stark contrast to many nations. The question of why the US allows high fructose corn syrup is not a simple one, involving a confluence of factors from historical events and agricultural policies to consumer economics.

The US switched from cane sugar to high-fructose corn syrup in the 1980s, primarily due to economic and political factors. This major shift was influenced by government subsidies for corn and trade tariffs on imported sugar, making high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) the cheaper option for American beverage manufacturers.

Based on a 2017 analysis, Iowa ranked first in total meat production, accounting for over 10% of the U.S. total. Pinpointing today's leader is more complex, as factors like livestock type, herd numbers, and cash receipts all influence which state makes the most meat.

According to a 2024 USDA report, household food insecurity increased for the second consecutive year in 2023, with 13.5% of US households—or 47.4 million Americans—experiencing a lack of reliable access to nutritious, affordable food. The answer to whether there is food insecurity in the United States is a resounding yes, and its causes are complex and systemic.

In 2023, a staggering 47.4 million Americans lived in households affected by food insecurity, a condition where access to adequate, nutritious food is limited or uncertain. This stark reality helps frame the complex answer to the question of **how many Americans have no food**, extending beyond immediate hunger to a persistent, systemic issue impacting millions across the nation.

According to the USDA, imports account for a growing portion of American diets, averaging about one-fifth of all food consumed or marketed in the United States each year. This shift in the nation's food sourcing is driven by a complex mix of factors, including consumer demand, seasonal availability, and cost.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data cited in a September 2025 Visual Capitalist report, the United States consumed approximately 19.0 million barrels of petroleum products per day in 2024. This staggering figure reinforces the nation's position as the world's largest consumer of oil.

According to a September 2024 USDA report, 13.5% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2023, a significant increase from the previous year. This critical data reveals that the primary challenge is not widespread food *scarcity* in the USA but rather a lack of consistent, reliable access to enough nutritious food.

According to the USDA, imports account for an average of about one-fifth of all food consumed in the United States. This highlights that the two main sources of food for US are domestic agricultural production and an increasingly crucial, diverse network of imports from around the globe.

Recent USDA data from 2024 reveals that Arkansas has the highest food insecurity rate in the United States, with approximately 19% of households experiencing inconsistent access to sufficient, nutritious food. This alarming statistic highlights the complex interplay of economic and social factors contributing to hunger across the nation.