What is a food survey?

A food survey is user-generated data that helps third parties and the government monitor food consumption. Food surveys assess the type of food that people eat in an area, in addition to behavior patterns and the accessibility of certain foods.

In the United States, the Department of Agriculture conducts nationwide surveys to gain a better understanding of how citizens eat. The data that the USDA collects is used to assess technology innovations, support current policies and enhance quality control. After it is collected from food surveys, such as the "What We Eat in America" survey, the data is compiled into reports and improvements are implemented over time.