Consumers in the United States and Australia showed strikingly similar attitudes toward food spending, diet satisfaction and purchasing values in the October research edition from Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability at Purdue University.

The survey measured food-related behaviours, consumer trust and perceptions across both countries.

The report found that adults in both nations allocated roughly sixty-seven points out of one hundred on the Sustainable Food Purchasing Index, suggesting comparable alignment with sustainability-related purchasing behaviour.

In both countries, taste, affordability and nutrition ranked highest among food attributes; environmental impact and social responsibility were ranked far lower in influence on purchase decisions.

Although the overall alignment was strong, Australian consumers placed slightly greater emphasis on affordability, while American respondents rated taste slightly higher.

Both populations rated their diet satisfaction positively, with more than two-thirds of respondents indicating a score between seven and ten on the Cantril scale.

Yet both U.S. and Australian diet-quality scores remained within the “intermediate” classification when benchmarked against healthy-diet standards.

On grocery price inflation, U.S. adults reported an estimated average increase of about 4.8 per cent and expected future inflation of approximately 3.7 per cent—both marginally lower than the corresponding figures in Australia.

This discrepancy highlights a slightly more alert inflation sentiment among Australian shoppers.

Distinct behavioural differences also emerged.

Australian respondents reported more frequent selection of cage-free eggs, higher likelihood of composting, recycling and reducing food waste compared with U.S. respondents—trends attributed in part to Australia’s stronger policy and incentive framework surrounding sustainability.

Additionally, Australians showed higher trust in governmental agencies and health-food organisations as primary information sources, and nearly half reported drinking unfiltered tap water compared with just thirty-one per cent of U.S. consumers.

The survey underscores deep similarities in food values and behaviours across two major developed markets, while illustrating how minor cultural, regulatory and infrastructural differences can shape specific practices.

It offers food-system stakeholders a clearer baseline for comparative policymaking, retail strategy and consumer-education efforts in the U.S. and Australia alike.