Rising Food Prices Make Dinner Spendier

Inflation, she takes a bite

Food prices fell during Obama's first year in office, a small blessing for families struggling with unemployment. But as the economy began to heal, prices headed back up. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food and beverage costs for a typical market basket rose nearly 7 percent from January 2009 through August 2012. Cost-conscious shoppers could save money by switching from apples (11 percent more expensive) to bananas (5 percent cheaper).