What percentage of the US food supply is imported?

• A. 5%
• B. 15%
• C. 25%
• D. 35%

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how much of what Americans eat comes from other countries versus being produced domestically. The United States relies on its own farms for most staples, but imports provide a meaningful supplement—especially for fruits out of season, tropical products, seafood, coffee, and certain processed foods. This import share is about 15% of the total food supply, a figure that can vary a bit year to year but generally sits in the mid-teens. So the best answer is 15%.

Five percent would underestimate the reliance on imports, while 25% or 35% would overstate it; 15% best reflects the typical proportion of calories in the U.S. food supply that come from abroad.