The latest CPI report shows a slight increase in overall food prices (0.2%) during the month of May, following no change in the index in March and April.
Food at home
The food at home rose 0.1%, after declines over the past two months. The indexes for three of the six major grocery store food groups increased during the month, the largest of which was in fruits and vegetables, which rose 1.3%. Notably, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs decreased 1.2%, with the index for eggs falling 13.8% — its largest decrease since January of 1951.
Price changes for the other major grocery store groups included:
Nonalcoholic beverages: +0.7% (-0.1% in April)
Other food at home: +0.4% (+0.2% in April)
Cereal and bakery products: unchanged (+0.2% in April)
Dairy and related products: -1.1% (-0.7% in April)
The food at home index increased 5.8% over the past year. The index for cereals and bakery products saw the biggest rise at 10.7% during this time. The other indexes increased anywhere from 0.3% (meats, poultry, fish, and eggs) and 9.2% (other food at home).
Food away from home
The index for food away from home went up 0.5% in May, after April’s 0.4% increase. The index for limited service meals rose 0.5%, and the index for full service meals increased 0.4%.
The index for food away from home rose 8.3% over the last 12 months. The index for limited service meals increased 8.0% during this period, and the index for full service meals went up 6.8%.
