From kitchen to canteen: What drives away-from-home food consumption in Ghana? A double-hurdle analysis

Abstract

Away-from-home food consumption (AFHFC) has become an increasingly important feature of contemporary food systems, reflecting broader shifts in household lifestyles, urbanization, labor market participation, and income dynamics. In Ghana, however, empirical evidence on the drivers of AFHFC remains limited, particularly at the national level. This study employs descriptive statistics and a double-hurdle model to examine the participation rate, expenditure patterns, and determinants of AFHFC among Ghanaian households, using data from the 2016/2017 Ghana Living Standards Survey. The results show that AFHFC is widespread, with 80% of households reporting some expenditure on food prepared outside the home. Among participating households, AFHFC accounts for 17% of total food expenditure, indicating that it is an important but still complementary component of household food consumption. The double-hurdle model distinguishes between the decision to participate in AFHFC and the level of expenditure conditional on participation. The results establish that income significantly increases AFHFC expenditure, while urban residence raises both the probability of participation and spending intensity. Male-headed households and informal-sector workers are more likely to engage in AFHFC, whereas married household heads, larger households, and homeowners are less likely to participate and spend less. The study concludes that AFHFC is an increasingly important feature of Ghana’s food system and should be more explicitly incorporated into food policy, urban planning, and nutrition interventions.