food prices going up

Over the past 10 years, prices for basic food commodities have increased by an average of more than 125%. Part of the increase is due to rising production costs and demand. But you also have Wall Street traders to thank.

Ham will be the centerpiece of many Easter dinners this weekend, but the cost of that traditional main dish may make it harder for families to live high on the hog.

Consumers paid more for food and gas last month, although inflation outside those volatile categories was tame. The Labor Department says the Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in September, below August's 0.4% rise. Excluding food and energy, so-called core prices increased 0.1%, the smallest rise since March.

Beef prices have bulked up so much that thieves are starting to steal it. Consumers might feel like they're getting robbed, too, at the checkout stands. Several factors -- including high cattle feed prices -- mean the prices could continue to climb. Here's how to spend less cash on cows.

Here we go again. About a year ago, some pundits predicted a double dip recession, which never really materialized. But those fears might come to pass this time, according to a new study by Customer Growth Partners (CPG), a research and consulting firm serving the retail and consumer products...

As food prices continue to rise, many food companies are shrinking packages instead of raising item prices. But don't be fooled: You're definitely paying more for less.

Despite a steady six-month rally, lots of investors still haven't jumped back into equities. While plenty of official economic reports say things are getting better, these investors are following other signs -- often closer to home -- that say beware.

Dire warnings about higher prices notwithstanding, not everyone in the consumer-staple sector expects to be a sorry victim of inflation. Count General Mills among those who aren't afraid of the inflation bogey. It has been raising prices, and analysts are applauding.

Ben Bernanke insists that inflation remains "quite low." That's true, unless you need to eat. Core inflation doesn't include food prices, and they're soaring around the globe. In fact, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization says its closely watched food price index hit its highest level ever in January.

Global food prices rose to a record high last month, overtaking even the levels seen during the 2007-2008 food crisis. The UN Food and Agricultural Organization said its food price index rose to 214.7 points last month, an increase of almost 4.2% from November, according to The Financial Times....