Due to the struggling economy, nearly 45% of Americans are eating out less this year-a nearly 12% increase from 2007-and cooking at home, according to a BIGResearch report. Sales of cookbooks, inexpensive cookware and basic foods have increased, and cooking magazines and websites have gained readership. Sales of supermarket “center store” goods, such as pasta, spices and canned and baking goods, have had a 3.4% sales increase in recent months, according to Thom Blischok, president of consulting and information at Information Resources Inc. An IRI survey found that nearly 30% of 1,000 consumers questioned are buying less fresh produce, and half are buying more generic brand products.