Food prices increased 0.1% in August, bringing the unadjusted 12-month increase to 1.1%, according to the latest CPI data. The increase was due almost entirely to the food away from home index, which was up 0.3%. Food at home prices declined for the second time since February.
Grocery indexes decline, except cereal and bakery
Five of the six major grocery store indexes fell:
- Dairy and related products -0.4%
- Nonalcoholic beverages -0.4%
- Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs -0.2%
- Fruits and vegetables -0.2%
- Other food at home -0.1%
The only grocery index that didn’t decline was cereal and bakery products, which was up 0.3%.
Food away from home up 2.2% over last year
Over the past year, food away from home has seen the biggest gains. In August, the index was up 0.3%, bringing the 12-month total increase to 2.2%.
