The fourth edition of “Power of Meat,” a joint study by the American Meat Institute and the Food Marketing Institute, finds the recession is affecting meat-department purchasing behavior.

While consumers are opting for more home-cooked meals, they're also looking to save money inside the store. While the overall spending amount remains roughly the same at $91/week, more shoppers are using coupons, buying only what they need, and switching from national brands to store brands. Other tactics include resisting luxury foods and buying items on sale.