Consumers caught a break at the grocery store as food at home prices were down 1% in July compared with June, even though they still are up an average of 3.1% so far this year compared with 2019. Even as food prices have fluctuated, USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) still forecasts the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food at home will increase from 2.5% to 3.5% in 2020 versus 2019, unchanged from their month-ago outlook. But that is still considerably above the 20-year average of a 2% increase.
Food away from home (restaurants) rose 0.5% in July from the June level, the ERS said, and they are up an average of 2.4%. For all of 2020, USDA forecasts an increase of 1.5% to 2.5%, below the 20-year average for an increase of 2.8%.
Overall food prices are forecast to rise 2% to 3% in 2020 from 2019 levels, slightly above the 20-year average of 2.3%. The prices for all food fell 0.3% in July from June but have increased an average of 2.8% so far this year.
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