Final answer:
The question seeks the range of expenditures for the 10% of families with the lowest spending on food and drink, which would require granular data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey. The passage implies that consumer spending behavior, especially in categories other than groceries, can shift during economic downturns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the range of expenditures of the 10% of families with the lowest annual spending on food and drink. Although the provided passage does not specify the exact range, it references the Consumer Expenditure Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which outlines the spending patterns of the average U.S. household on various consumption categories, including food. To find the range for the specific subset of families with the lowest spending, one would need to look at more granular data within the survey or supplemental data sources that break down expenditures by income percentiles or spending deciles.
Importantly, the discussion in the passage highlights that during economic downturns, something other than grocery spending increased, suggesting that consumer behavior may shift particularly in response to external economic pressures. Understanding these dynamics can provide insight into the choices and priorities of different segments of the population during such times.