Consumer Index Reports Food Prices are 13.5% Higher than Last Year

Consumers are still feeling the heat of inflation at the grocery store, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall inflation rate lessened slightly to 8.3% in August compared to 8.5% in July. But August retail food prices were still 13.5% higher than last year at the same time.

Beyond food, price increases for shelter, medical care and other critical items put pressure on inflation, while gasoline prices fell more than 10%. Lower energy prices overall have helped ease inflation, but compared to August of last year, the energy index was still up 23.8% last month.

Read more on consumer inflation pressures here.