According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food at elementary and secondary schools are 62.76% higher in 2026 versus 2012 (a $12.55 difference in value).
Between 2012 and 2026:Food at elementary and secondary schools experienced an average inflation rate of 3.54% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, food at elementary and secondary schools costing $20 in the year 2012 would cost $32.55 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.49% during this same period, inflation for food at elementary and secondary schools was higher.
In the year 2012: Pricing changed by 2.84%, which is below the average yearly change for food at elementary and secondary schools during the 2012-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2012 (2.07%), 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 2012. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $20.00 | 2.84% |
| 2013 | $20.70 | 3.51% |
| 2014 | $21.11 | 1.95% |
| 2015 | $21.63 | 2.46% |
| 2016 | $22.63 | 4.64% |
| 2017 | $22.69 | 0.29% |
| 2018 | $23.41 | 3.15% |
| 2019 | $23.87 | 1.95% |
| 2020 | $23.38 | -2.05% |
| 2021 | $12.51 | -46.48% |
| 2022 | $11.51 | -8.02% |
| 2023 | $30.80 | 167.60% |
| 2024 | $31.58 | 2.55% |
| 2025 | $32.31 | 2.32% |
| 2026 | $32.55 | 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 |