Mar 21, 2008 4:41 PM, by MARK HAMSTRA

Leibtag of the USDA also said he thinks consumers will be reluctant to cut back on their grocery spending.

“The general economic view tells us that food overall is a relative necessity, and grocery store shopping, vs. eating out, is more of a necessity, or one area that consumers can fall back on,” he said. “So, with the weakening economy and higher prices for food, it is the non-necessities that go first. If consumers are cutting back, it is probably not on basic food staples.”

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