Fruits and veggies lead CPI increase

http://www.credit.com/news/personal-finance/2010-04-14/slight-increase-in-cpi-driven-by-costs-for-fruits-vegetables.html

Although prices for most goods remained steady in March, a sharp increase in the costs for fruits and vegetables accounted for a slight increase in the consumer price index.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index increased 0.1 percent during the third month of the year, driven by a 4.6 percent climb in the price for fresh fruits and vegetables. In the "all items" category from the BLS data set, 60 percent of the increase was accounted for by a rise in produce prices.

One factor that may have played in to the increase in the price for fruits and vegetables could have been the weather experienced in some parts of the country. Both rain and snow storms may have impeded the process of producing fruit and vegetables, which might have led to the jump in prices.

"The index for food away from home, which had increased every month since January 2003, was unchanged in March," the BLS said. "In contrast, the index for food at home rose 0.5 percent, its largest increase since September 2008."

Indices for energy and all goods not counting food and energy remained steady from February to March. The price of electricity went up, which was made up for by a decline in costs associated with gasoline and natural gas.

For other items, increases were seen in medical care and for used and new vehicles. However, expenses for home-related costs like shelter and furnishings - along with clothing - went down in March.

Overall for the last 12 months, the consumer price index has increased 2.3 percent, as the costs for goods and services continue to rise as people continue to try and handle debt.