AUSTIN, TEXAS – As a result of the struggling economy, two out of three U.S. adults have changed their cooking and eating habits, with about half eating dinner at home more often and more than one-third budgeting food shopping trips more strictly, according to Whole Foods Market’s annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker (online) survey conducted by Harris Interactive.

Most respondents (76%) said they do not want to compromise on the quality of the food they buy, regardless of current food prices. Seventy-five percent also continue to purchase natural and/or organic foods in the same quantities as they always have, nearly two-thirds (65%) of consumers surveyed say they would like to find ways to be able to buy these foods within their budget.

"We recognize shoppers should be able to cut costs, not corners when buying natural and organic foods," said A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market. "This research is in sync with what we are seeing right now with our customers as they are taking advantage of our in-store value programs and specials, and they are turning to us for meal planning and ideas more than ever before, especially via our website."

This survey was conducted online in the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of Whole Foods Market Inc. between July 31 and Aug. 4, 2009. Survey's respondents included 2,188 adults (18 and older). Of those respondents, 441 are the parents with children between ages 3 and 17.