Eco/365 Article Analysis of Food Consumption ECO/365 Food consumption and the prices of consumptions have affected the American population in many ways. Prices have changed and accounted toward the increased prices in food consumption for the American population. Many factors have affected the price increases and types of food that are consumed. Simplicity and availability have also played a huge role in the elasticity of food consumption. The utility derived from food consumption is the preference and satisfaction of the food itself, means of obtaining the food as well as the cost of food. In the case of food consumption, restaurants have grown in significant numbers. One example of this is McDonalds, starting in 1940 with only one restaurant where as today there are more than 31,000 restaurants, serving more than 68,000 people every day (About McDonalds, 2012). In over 60 years the consumption in just this one example has surpassed expectations with leaps and bounds and has lead to the cost of consumption along with supply and demand. More people equal more consumption in all things food. Food consumption is a necessity and with today’s busy lifestyle food sources have become readily available. The