Americans are known for their steady diet of burgers and hot dogs. But more consumers now are opting to stay away from meat, instead they are choosing other food options. And the consumption of red meat in the US is said to be in a serious and steady decline.

Between 2005 and 2014, it's estimated that consumption of beef has decreased by roughly 20 percent.

It probably didn't help the matter when the World Health Organization in 2015, took to announcing that processed meat (bacon, sausages, and other meats) would be considered a human carcinogen. No doubt the increase in health concerns around this product has prompted many people to reconsider adding it into their diet; they're opting for other food items instead.

We might be seeing less red meat sales in the US, but that sure isn't the case when it comes to grass-fed beef in the nation. In the last few years, interest for grass-fed beef has exploded and a growing number of stores are looking to offer this product in order to meet customer demand.

The grass-fed beef market has grown from around $17 million in 2012, to almost $300 million now (about $272 million in 2016).

It's reported that demand for grass-fed beef has skyrocketed, it continues to grow annually, to the point where now it has the potential to compete with factory farming feedlot systems. But in order for that to happen, according to the Back To Grass report from the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture , it's suggested that production needs to be scaled. And experts have affirmed that there is enough land space in the US to support scaling of grass-fed beef production. However, it would take the conversion of over 17 million acres of land which is used to grow subsidized grain at the moment; mostly used for feedlot beef.

When it comes to this method of farming, experts say that by utilizing mob-grazing and rotational methods, it boosts productivity three fold.

One issue with grass-fed beef is the price, many people see it as a premium and they aren't willing to purchase it yet. But you really need to shop around and try to find a good deal. Quite often I am able to find a number of decent grass-fed steaks at my local Trader Joes for $3-4 each.

Overall, grass-fed beef only accounts for less than 1 percent of US beef consumption, so there is a lot of room for growth still and it's a market that is expected to continue growing yet for years to come. Consumer demand for this product continues to surge in many different areas.

One big meal delivery service, Blue Apron, has said that they are switching from grain-fed beef to using 100 percent gras-fed for their millions of meal kits that get delivered every month.

The grass-fed market has seen steady growth in recent years, to include grass-fed protein powder, grass-fed cheese, grass-fed yogurt, and grass-fed milk. There are even a number of options for pet treats being made with grass-fed products as well.

It's more than obvious that a growing number of US consumers are interested in food that is antibiotic-free and non-GMO, and the grass-fed interest is an extension of that; a reflection of the growing number of people who want what they believe is a better food choice for them.