chapter 2 profiling food consumption in america 14 agriculture fact book americans at the beginning of 21st century are consuming more and several hundred calories per son day than did their counterparts late 1950s when capita calorie was lowest level last or even 1970s aggregate supply 2000 pro vided 3 800 person 500 above 1970 record low 1957 1958 fig 1 that usda s economic research service ers estimates roughly 100 were lost to spoilage plate waste cooking other losses putting dietary intake just under 700 calo ries data suggest average daily creased by 24 5 percent about 530 between increase grains mainly re fined grain products contributed 9 percentage points added fats oils 0 sugars 4 7 fruits vegetables together