Food Prices Increase for the Seventh Consecutive Month: March CPI Report

Food prices continue to rise, now for the seventh month in a row, according to the most recent CPI report. March’s overall price index increase was 0.3%.

Food at home 

Food at home prices went up by 0.5% in March, the same increase as in February.

Each of the six grocery store food groups saw price increases for the month:

• Nonalcoholic beverages: +0.9% (+0.5% in February)

• Fruits and vegetables: +0.8% (unchanged in February)

• Dairy and related products: +0.6% (+1.1% in February)

• Other food at home: +0.6% (+0.8% in February)

• Cereals and bakery products: +0.1% (+0.5% in February)

• Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs: +0.1% (+0.2% in February)

Over the last 12-month period, the index for food at home rose by 1.1%. Five of the major grocery store food group prices went up over the course of the year, while prices for fruits and vegetables declined:

• Dairy and related products: +3.7%

• Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs: +2.3% (beef increased 3.8%)

• Nonalcoholic beverages: +1.4%

• Other food at home: +1.4%

• Cereals and bakery products: +0.1%

• Fruits and vegetables: -1.9% (fresh fruits declined by 3.5%)

Food away from home

Overall prices for food away from home increased by 0.2% in March, matching February’s index change. Prices went up by 0.4% for limited service meals, but remained unchanged for full service meals.

The 12-month index for food away for home continues to be +3.0%. Full service meals grew by 3.2% during that period, while limited service meals increased by 2.8%.