Food at home

Marking its smallest monthly increase since December 2021, the food at home index rose 0.4% during the month.

Four of the six major grocery store group indexes increased during this time, the greatest being other food at home, which increased 0.9% after a 0.5% increase in September. On the opposite end, the index for fruits and vegetables fell 0.9% over the month after increasing 1.6% in September. 

Price changes for the other major grocery store groups included:

• Cereals and bakery products: +0.8% (+0.9% in September)
• Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs: +0.6% (+0.4% in September)
• Nonalcoholic beverages: +0.5% (+0.6% in September)
• Dairy and related products: -0.1% (+0.3% in September)

The food at home index has increased 12.4% over the past year. The largest increase was seen for cereals and bakery products, with an increase of 15.9%. This was closely followed by dairy and related products, which increased 15.5%. Prices for the remaining grocery store groups rose anywher from 8.0% (meats, poultry, fish, and eggs) to 15.4% (other food at home).

Food away from home

There was no relief for food away from home prices, however, as the index rose 0.9% in October (the same amount as August and September). Full service meals increased 1.1% after a 0.4% increase in September. Limited service meals rose 0.8% after increasing 0.6% in September. 

The food away from home index has risen 8.6% over the past year. The index for full service meals rose 9.0% and the index for limited service meals rose 7.1% during this period.