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Retail Food Price Inflation Made Up For Lost Time In 2011

Retail food prices reflected by the Bureau of Labor Statistic's Consumer Price Index for food-at-home rose an average 4.8% in 2011 - well above the minor increases of 0.3% and 0.5% in the prior two years and outpacing the overall inflation rate of 3.2% for the year. ... Full Story

Restaurant Performance Outpaces Grocers In 2011

Sales at the nation's eating and drinking places ended 2011 with a bang, rising 10% during December, versus the same month of 2010. That marked the first time foodservice sales increased in double digits in 69 months - since March of 2006 according to a look through The Food Institute archives. And that increase can be attributed to growing sales at full-service restaurants, indicating that consumers did indeed decide to splurge a bit at the end of the year. .. .. ... Full Story

Wholesale Food Prices Advanced 6.3% In 2011

Wholesale finished consumer food prices jumped 1.2% during November from the prior month - the largest such increase since February reflecting significant prices hikes for fresh fruits and fresh vegetables as well as chicken and turkey. .... Full Story

Grocery "Real Sales Growth Nears 5% In October Vs,. 2010

Although prices for finished consumer foods as measured by the government's broad measure of wholesale food costs dropped 0.5% in December, this index was still 6.1% higher than 12 months prior during the month and was up 6.3% from 2010 on an annualized basis. Detailed Real Sales Table

Food Price Inflation Seen Moderating

Using the Food Institute exclusive Price Tracker, it looks like retail prices will hold relatively steady through January of 2012 based on wholesale price changes, which may have peaked in November. It is likely that retail food prices (food-at-home) will remain about 5.5% above year ago levels at year's end, but will start posting smaller gains versus the prior year as 2012 progresses. USDA projects food-at-home prices will be as much as 4% higher than 2001 on an annualized basis - as safe guess based on current indications but subject to a variety of factors from weather to government activity and of course consumer demand.