The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages advanced 0.1% in June, finishing at 236.7, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The increase follows a decline of 0.1% in May. The food index also increased 0.1% in June, moving up to 236.8 from 236.5 in May.
Within food at home, four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in June. This compared with May when four of the six indexes decreased.
Leading the way were the indexes for cereals and bakery products and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which each increased 0.4% in June.
The indexes for nonalcoholic beverages and for other food at home each increased 0.2% in June after declining in May, the B.L.S. said.
In contrast to these increases, the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for dairy and related products both declined slightly in June, falling 0.1%.
Over the past 12 months, the food at home index has risen 0.9%, with all the major food group indexes increasing except nonalcoholic beverages, which declined 0.9%.
The overall Consumer Price Index, which increased 0.1% in May, again moved higher, increasing 0.5% in June. Over the past 12 months, the index has increased 1.8%.
