Americans spent less on food in 2020, report says Primarily because of reduced sales of food away from home, Americanss total spending on food fell in 2020 — something that rarely happens. 5:30 am, Jun. 1, 2021 × A clerk works behind a plastic divider as she waits on a customer at Tellmann’s Market in New Salem, N.D., which has seen a boost in business since the coronavirus pandemic led local people to travel less for groceries. Submitted photo. Unusual circumstances are needed for Americans to spend less on food in a given year. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly qual...