Food Prices Unchanged in July: CPI Report

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%.