According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food at elementary and secondary schools are 72.90% higher in 2026 versus 2010 (a $14.58 difference in value).
Between 2010 and 2026:Food at elementary and secondary schools experienced an average inflation rate of 3.48% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food at elementary and secondary schools costing $20 in the year 2010 would cost $34.58 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.51% during this same period, inflation for food at elementary and secondary schools was higher.
In the year 2010: Pricing changed by 2.56%, which is below the average yearly change for food at elementary and secondary schools during the 2010-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2010 (1.64%), inflation for food at elementary and secondary schools was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food at elementary and secondary schools, over time, for $20 beginning in 2010. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $20.00 | 2.56% |
| 2011 | $20.66 | 3.30% |
| 2012 | $21.25 | 2.84% |
| 2013 | $21.99 | 3.51% |
| 2014 | $22.42 | 1.95% |
| 2015 | $22.97 | 2.46% |
| 2016 | $24.04 | 4.64% |
| 2017 | $24.11 | 0.29% |
| 2018 | $24.87 | 3.15% |
| 2019 | $25.36 | 1.95% |
| 2020 | $24.84 | -2.05% |
| 2021 | $13.29 | -46.48% |
| 2022 | $12.23 | -8.02% |
| 2023 | $32.72 | 167.60% |
| 2024 | $33.55 | 2.55% |
| 2025 | $34.33 | 2.32% |
| 2026 | $34.58 | 0.74%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Food at elementary and secondary schools:
| Year | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 101.592 | 105.769 | 110.249 | 115.377 | 118.329 | 122.239 | 125.708 | 130.117 | 132.658 | 135.927 | 142.228 | 142.641 | 147.137 | 150.013 | 146.942 | 78.642 | 72.336 | 193.568 | 198.502 | 203.100 | 204.596 |