According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for food at employee sites and schools were 7.32% lower in 2021 versus 2016 (a $1.46 difference in value).
Between 2016 and 2021: Food at employee sites and schools experienced an average inflation rate of -1.51% per year. In other words, food at employee sites and schools costing $20 in the year 2016 would cost $18.54 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 1.74% during this same period, inflation for food at employee sites and schools was significantly lower.
In the year 2016: Pricing changed by 5.12%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for food at employee sites and schools during the 2016-2021 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2016 (1.26%), inflation for food at employee sites and schools was much higher.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Food at employee sites and schools:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 100.885 | 103.185 | 104.415 | 105.500 | 108.177 | 112.362 | 115.469 | 118.554 | 122.638 | 126.764 | 131.837 | 137.322 | 140.969 | 145.735 | 150.188 | 155.320 | 158.163 | 161.749 | 170.027 | 172.085 | 178.138 | 181.229 | 177.236 | 157.583 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Food at employee sites and schools, over time, for $20 beginning in 2016. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $20.00 | 5.12% |
| 2017 | $20.24 | 1.21% |
| 2018 | $20.95 | 3.52% |
| 2019 | $21.32 | 1.74% |
| 2020 | $20.85 | -2.20% |
| 2021 | $18.54 | -11.09%* |