US Food Prices Rose 40.8% Over Last Decade

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that food prices in the United States did not double between May 2016 and May 2026. Data shows the overall Consumer Price Index for food rose from 247.9 to 349, marking a total increase of 40.8% over the ten-year period.

Price trends varied by category. Grocery store prices, classified as food at home, increased by 34.1%. In contrast, restaurant and prepared-food prices, known as food away from home, saw a sharper rise of 50.6%.

Inflation accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a peak annual increase of 9.9% in 2022. This growth subsequently slowed, dropping to 2.3% in 2024 and 2.9% in 2025.