Food prices remained unchanged for the second month in a row, according to the most recent CPI report.
Food at home
The overall price index for food at home dropped again in July, this time by 0.1%. Price fluctuations were mixed among the grocery store food group indexes. And after months-long trends, the price indexes for dairy and related products and fruits and vegetables bounced in opposite directions in July.
- Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: +0.1% (vs. -0.7% in June)
- Cereals and bakery products: +0.3% (vs. -0.6% in June)
- Dairy and related products: -0.3% (vs. +0.3% in June, which was the fifth consecutive monthly increase)
- Fruits and vegetables: +0.3% (-0.5% in June, which was the third consecutive monthly decline)
- Nonalcoholic beverages: -0.4% (vs. -0.6% in June)
- Other food from home: -0.7% (vs. +0.7 in June)
Over the past 12 months, five of the six grocery store food group indexes increased — the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs is the exception, as it remained unchanged. Overall, the price index for food at home has increased by 0.6% over the past year.
Food away from home
Another price increase for food away from home came around in June, with the index rising by 0.2%.
- Limited service meals: +0.2%
- Full service meals: +0.2%
Steady upticks in food away from home prices has brought the 12-month unadjusted index change to +3.2%.
