Food prices rose 0.4% in August, marking a slightly smaller increase than July’s 0.7% increase, according to data from the most recent CPI report. This month marks the eighth consecutive month there has been an increase in prices.
Food at home
The food at home index went up by 0.4% over the month of August, reflecting an increase in prices for four of the six major grocery store food group indexes, including nonalcoholic beverages, fruits and vegetables, other food at home, and meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.
The index for dairy and related products was the only major grocery store group to decline in August, falling 1.0% after rising the previous four months. The index for cereals and bakery products did not change in August, following a 1.2% increase in July.
Price changes for the other major grocery store groups included:
- Nonalcoholic beverages: +1.0% (+0.7% in July)
- Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs: +0.7% (+1.5% in July)
- Other food at home: +0.6% (+0.8% in July)
- Fruits and vegetables: +0.2% (-0.9% in July)
Over the past 12 months, the food at home index has gone up 3.0%, with five of the six major grocery store groups showing increases during this period. Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs saw the largest increase during this time (+8.0%), and the only group to decline was dairy and related products (-0.5%).
Food away from home
The food away from home index also rose in August, with a 0.4% increase after July’s slightly higher 0.8% increase. Both limited service meals and full service meals increased this past month, while the index for food at employee sites and schools showed a sharp 17.0% decline in August.
- Limited service meals: +0.8% (+1.0% in July)
- Full service meals: +0.6% (+0.6% in July)
The food away from home index has risen 4.7% over the last year. Limited service meals have gone up 6.9% and full service meals have risen 4.9% during this time period.
