How have food prices increased in Tennessee? Here are the U.S. cities hit hard by food inflation

People in Tennessee and across the country continue to feel the impacts of high food prices . Despite inflation being down from the previous 12-month period, grocery prices have increased, according to the latest data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes — meats, poultry and fish — increased between June and July (the month for which data is most recently available) by 0.7%, while the index for eggs rose by 5.5%. The fruits and vegetables index also increased by 0.8%.

Here's how food prices have increased in the South region and what states have had the largest increases.

Related: Which Kroger stores are being sold in Albertsons merger? What to know in Tennessee

How have food prices risen in Tennessee and surrounding states?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics , the Consumer Price Index for the South rose 0.2% in July, for an overall 2.9% increase between July 2023 and July 2024. Housing, transportation, electricity, and child care experienced the highest increases, while food costs rose by 2.2%.

The Consumer Price Index measures the price changes of food, clothing, shelter, fuels, transportation fares, and other daily necessities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes the South region as Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Grocery retailers attempt to combat inflation with seasonal price drops

As a response to rising food prices, many grocery retailers across the country have begun enacting seasonal price drops in an attempt to combat inflation.

In May, Aldi announced they would be lowering prices on select items throughout the summe r, saving customers an estimated $100 million. The retailer had previously rolled out price drops in 2023, saving customers an estimated $60 billion.

“ALDI is always looking for ways to help customers save money, but with more experts warning of persistent inflation, the time was right to deliver even greater discounts on our already low prices for the second year in a row,” said Dave Rinaldo, president at ALDI U.S. in a news release.

Later that same month, Target also announced they would be lowering prices on thousands of items ahead of the busy summer season.

What states have the highest grocery price increases?

According to USA TODAY, grocery prices have increased the most in the past 12 months for the following states:

1. Vermont: 3.1% increase year-over-year
2. Hawaii: 2.6% increase year-over-year
3. Oklahoma: 2.1% year-over-year
4. New Mexico : 2.1% year-over-year
5. Alabama : 2.1% year-over-year
6. North Dakota : 2% year-over-year
7. Pennsylvania : 2% year-over-year
8. Maine: 1.9% year-over-year
9. New Hampshire: 1.9% year-over-year
10. Delaware: 1.9% year-over-year

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How have food prices increased in Tennessee? Here are the U.S. cities hit hard by food inflation