Leonidas
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Interesting data here from the USDA: ERS/USDA Briefing Room - Food CPI and Expenditures: Table 7
So, if I'm reading this right, the cost of food has gone up in nominal dollars ever since the day they first started collecting data (1928). But as a percentage share of disposable income - it's steadily decreased.
Then there is this article that says snack food manufacturers have increased the size of their packaging, while keeping prices the same:
Edit to add: Using the BLS inflation calculator, the USDA prices for food have outpaced overall inflation as calculated by the BLS by a wide margin. About four times greater than inflation if the calculator is right.
So, if I'm reading this right, the cost of food has gone up in nominal dollars ever since the day they first started collecting data (1928). But as a percentage share of disposable income - it's steadily decreased.
Then there is this article that says snack food manufacturers have increased the size of their packaging, while keeping prices the same:
Slow Economy Allows Food Packaging To Grow - Health News - redOrbitFrito-Lay has begun offering its full lineup of chips in bags that are 20 percent larger than they were last year.
While pricing of the goods has been unchanged, the sizes of Doritos bags have jumped from 12 ounces to 14.5 ounces
Fritos now hold 17.5 ounces, compared to 14.5 ounces last year, and Cheetos bags now hold 10.25 ounces, compared to the previous 8.5 ounces.
Milt Weinstock, of The Snack Factory, said bags of pretzel crisps have grown 25 percent larger – from 7.5 ounces to 6 ounces. He said the larger bag sizes should be available through the end of the summer.
Edit to add: Using the BLS inflation calculator, the USDA prices for food have outpaced overall inflation as calculated by the BLS by a wide margin. About four times greater than inflation if the calculator is right.