Analysis of consumption of home-produced foods

One of the potential exposure pathways of concern when assessing human exposures to environmental contaminants is the ingestion of contaminated foods. Individuals who live near contaminated sites and who grow their own food may be at a higher risk than the general population. Estimating exposures to this subpopulation requires an analysis of homegrown food intake rates. The Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) 1987-1988 data were used to generate intake rates for home-produced foods. Results of the analysis show that, among the general population, homegrown vegetables (18%) were the most commonly consumed of the major food groups, followed by fruit (8%), meat (5%), fish (2%), and dairy products (0.8%). The intake rates for the major food groups vary according to region, age, urbanization, and race. In general, intake rates of home-produced foods are higher among populations in non-metropolitan and suburban areas and lowest in central city areas.