What’s for breakfast? What’s for lunch? What’s for dinner? These questions echo in households across the state through the day.
Americans enjoy a variety of food choices to fill those queries and meet our nutritional needs, thanks to farmers around the world. Food is often taken for granted until a desired item isn’t available or price fluctuations occur. Then, people take notice.
Many conversations focus on food prices. Consumers today find some grocery items have increased in price. It becomes challenging to make food choices that provide adequate meals at an affordable price.
The American Farm Bureau Marketbasket Survey tracks food prices of 16 items, representing a cross section of agriculture. Missouri participates in this survey, and the good news for Show-Me State shoppers is prices are down slightly from the same time last year. However, the total bill is higher than at one point earlier in the year. The prices for the period ending in September ring in at $51.13, down $1.31 compared to last year’s cost. Compared to the end of March, the same items were $49.08, for an increase within the year of $2.05.
Nationally, the prices for the same items totaled $54.26, reflecting an average savings of $3.13. It is the norm for Missouri prices to come in below the national average, thanks in part to our geographical location and ease of distribution.
Looking at the items surveyed, seven increased in price while nine dropped – some significantly. There is volatility at the meat and dairy counter. This survey reveals increases in ground chuck, bacon and sliced deli ham, while prices dropped for sirloin tip roast, chicken breasts, eggs, whole milk and shredded cheese. The most significant changes found ground chuck going to $4.82 per pound from $4.02, while eggs decreased 51 cents per dozen to $1.34.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices increased by about 2.5 percent so far this year, slightly higher than the average rate of inflation during the past 10 years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasted a 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent increase in prices for food eaten at home and away from home in 2014, compared to the prior year.
Other price changes seem random or seasonal. Red Delicious apples increased 8 cents per pound, half-gallon orange juice, up 47 cents, and salad mix, 99 cents higher. Items decreasing in price included a 5-pound bag of russet potatoes, down 24 cents, a 5-pound bag of flour, 12 cents lower, and a 20-ounce loaf of bread, down 41 cents.
Despite slight price increases, American shoppers find grocery shelves well stocked. The challenge for many families is maximizing their food budgets. Creative menu planning, cost comparison, shopping the ads and couponing are necessities for many households answering the question: What do we have to eat?
—Diane Olson, of Jefferson City, the Missouri Farm Bureau[[In-content Ad]]
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