The most recent CPI data shows that food prices swelled for the fifth month in a row in March, this time by 0.3%.
Food at home
The price index for food at home rose by 0.4%, the same amount as in February.
Four of the grocery store food group indexes rose while one remained unchanged and another one fell. The fruits and vegetables category saw the most significant increase — the overall index spiked by 1.6%, with the price for fruit going up by 1.2% and the price for vegetables rising by 2%. On the flipside, the index for nonalcoholic beverages finally experienced some relief, stabilizing after three straight months of increases.
- Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: -0.2%
- Cereals and bakery products: +0.3
- Dairy and related products: +0.6
- Fruits and vegetables: +1.6%
- Nonalcoholic beverages: No change
- Other food from home: +0.1%
Over the past 12 months, the index for food at home has risen by 1.4%. Five of the six food group indexes have seen increases during the same period, with the only exception being meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
Food away from home
The price index for food at home saw another modest increase in March, this time totaling 0.2%.
- Limited service meals: +0.2%
- Full service meals: +0.1%
Seemingly small — yet consistent — monthly upticks in this category have contributed to an overall increase of 3% over the past 12 months.
