Inflation

12-Month Inflation Rate for Food at Home Reaches the Highest Rate Since 1979. Here's What Increased in Price the Most

The Food at Home Index stands at a 13.5 percent increase over the last year, a hike not seen in over 40 years

Inflation continues to hit American families hard, with perhaps one of the most significant impacts being seen in the checkout lane.

The Food at Home Index, which monitors the price of grocery store necessities such as cereals, meat, dairy and produce saw a 13.5 percent increase in average prices over the past 12 months. Overall, food prices increased by 11.4 percent over the past year.

The data was released by the Department of Labor Tuesday as part of the Consumer Price Index, a monthly release detailing year-over-year price changes in different industries.

Significant price increases for food have been observed as supply chain issues stemming from worldwide instances of drought and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have greatly affected the trade of many vital crops, particularly grains.

The price of cereals and bakery products saw a 16.4 percent jump over the past 12 months, outpacing the increases seen for both food at home and food overall.

A steep hike in the prices of dairy and related products was also observed over the past year, with a 16.2 percent jump from last August.

Here's a full look at the price increases by percentage for different food items from August 2021 to August 2022:

Cereals and Grains

  • Flour and prepared flour mixes: 23.3 percent
  • Breakfast cereal: 16.4 percent
  • Rice: 13 percent
  • Bread: 16.2 percent
  • Fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins: 17.1 percent
  • Cakes, cupcakes and cookies: 14.4 percent

Meat, Eggs and Seafood

  • Beef and veal: 2.5 percent
  • Pork: 6.8 percent
  • Chicken: 16.6 percent
  • Fish and seafood: 8.7 percent
  • Eggs: 39.8 percent

Dairy

  • Milk: 17 percent
  • Cheese: 13.5 percent
  • Ice cream: 14 percent

Fruits and Vegetables

  • Apples: 3.8 percent
  • Bananas: 8.3 percent
  • Oranges and tangerines: 14.4 percent
  • Potatoes: 15.2 percent
  • Lettuce: 10.7 percent
  • Canned fruit: 16.6 percent
  • Canned vegetables: 16.1 percent
  • Frozen fruits and vegetables: 11.4 percent

Beverages

  • Carbonated drinks: 12.9 percent
  • Nonfrozen, noncarbonated juices and drinks: 13.4 percent
  • Coffee: 17.6 percent

Sweets

  • Sugar and sugar substitutes: 15.9 percent
  • Candy and chewing gum: 10.9 percent

Baking, Snacks and Baby Food

  • Butter: 24.6 percent
  • Margarine: 38.3 percent
  • Fats and oils: 21.5 percent
  • Peanut butter: 15.2 percent
  • Snacks: 16.7 percent
  • Spices, seasonings, condiments and sauces: 15.4 percent
  • Baby food: 12.6 percent
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