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Food prices to increase slightly

Last year consumers saw food prices increase 2.4 percent overall and USDA economist Annemarie Kuhns says similar increases are expected for 2015.

With the most noticeable increases, she says around the perimeter of the grocery store.  “Some of the meats and produce will see slightly higher than average inflation than a lot of the goods in the center aisle,” she says.  “So the non-perishable goods; cereals, bakery products, and non-alcoholic beverages.”

Beef prices are significantly higher than a year ago, and Kuhns says those prices won’t be leveling off anytime soon.  “We are forecasting beef and veal prices to rise 5 to 6 percent,” she says.

With pork prices are forecasted to rise 1 to 2 percent and dairy prices are projected up 2 to 3 percent this year.