 |
Five of the six major grocery store food groups increased during September for the third consecutive month, led by a 1.2 percent gain in dairy and related products. The index for dairy and related products was 219.4 in September, up from 216.7 in August. The gain followed advances of 0.9 percent in August and 1.2 percent in July.
The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.4 percent to 226.3 as the index for eggs rose sharply.
A 0.9 percent increase occurred in the index for cereals and bakery products. At 264.8, the index was up from 262.4 in August. The gain comes on the heels of an advance of 1.1 percent in August.
Also advancing 0.9 percent in September was the index for fruits and vegetables, moving up to 289.7 from 287.2. Within the segment, the indexes for apples and tomatoes both posted significant increases, the BLS said.
The other food at home index rose 0.6 percent in September to 200.4, up from 199.2 in August. The BLS said the gain was driven in large part by a 1.7 percent increase in the index for sugar and sweets.
The only exception to the gains in the food and beverage category was the index for nonalcoholic beverages, which was unchanged at 168. The segment fell 0.2 percent in August.
Overall, the Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in September to 227 after climbing 0.4 percent in August. The index now has increased 3.9 percent over the past 12 months.
