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R E T A IL PRICES OF FOOD
1959^60
INDE XES AND A V E R A G E P R I C E S

Bulletin No. 1301
Novem ber 1961

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
A rthur J. G old berg, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Ewan Claque, Commissioner

For s a le b y th e S u p e rin te n d e n t o f D oc u m e n ts , U .S . G o v e rn m e n t P rintin g O f fic e , W a s h in g to n 2 5 , D .C .




P rice 4 0 cents

PREFACE
This bulletin, Retail Prices of Food 1959-60, contains statistical data on retail
food prices and indexes for the period 1959-1960.
Included are discussions on the trend of
prices of the major food subgroups, a description of the retail food price index and speci­
fications of the items priced.
This bulletin was prepared in the Bureau*s Division of Consumer Prices and Price
Indexes by W. H. Zimmerman under the direction of Doris P. Rothwell, Chief, Branch of
Consumer Prices. Major contributions were made by Doris K. Stevenson on the analyses of
price movements and by Frances H. Briggs on the statistical tables.




ii

CONTENTS
Page
Summary----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
Changes in retail food prices by cities------------------------------------------------3
Trend in prices of major food subgroups------------------------------------------------4
Fruits and vegetables---------------------------------------------------------------4
Meats, poultry, and fish------------------------------------------------------------10
Dairy products----------------------------------------------------------------------12
Cereals and bakery products---------------------------------------------------------14
Other foods at home-----------------------------------------------------------------15
TABLES
1. Percent changes in retail food prices in the United States for selected periods
1
2. Percent changes in retail food prices in 20 large cities, by city and by subgroup,
December 1958-December
1960----------------------------------------------------5
3. Indexes of retail prices of food in the United States, by commodity group, by
year, 1923-60.................................................................... 19
4. Indexes of retail prices of food in the United States, by commodity group, by
month, December 1957-December 1960----------------------------------------------20
5. Indexes of retail prices of food by commodity group, by city for 20 large cities,
by year and month, 1959 and 1960“------------------------------------------------21
6. Indexes of retail prices of principal foods in the United States, by month, 1959
and 1960--------------------------------------------------------------------------25
7. Average retail prices of principal foods in the United States, by month, 1959
and 1960...........................................................................
28
8. Annual average retail prices of principal foods by city, 1959 and 1960-----------32
9. Estimated worktime required to buy certain food items, September 1953 and
September 1960-------------------------------------------------------------------36
CHARTS
1. Retail prices of foods, United States, 1913-60-------------------------------------iv
2. Retail prices for groups of foods, United States, 1953-60-------------------------v
3. Retail prices for subgroups of meat and poultry, United States, 1947-60------------vi
4. Retail prices for subgroups of fruits and vegetables, UnitedStates, 1947-60-------vii
5. Retail all foods price index compared with all commodities, all items less food,
and all services, United States, 1947-60------------------------------------------ viii
6. Trend of retail food prices compared with wholesale price indexes for special
commodity groups, United States, 1947-60----------------------------------------ix
APPENDIX
The retail food price index--- *---------------------------------------37
A brief description of the retail food price index--------------------------------37
Index base period-------------------------------------------------------------------37
Sample of cities--------------------------------------------------------------------37
Food at home---------------------------------------------------------38
Collection of prices-------------------------------------------------------------38
Processing-----------------------------------------------------------------------39
Sample of stores-----------------------------------------------------------------40
Sample of food items-------------------------------------------------------------41
Food away from home-----------------------------------------------------------------41
Correction procedures forpublishedprice indexes and prices------------------------41
Prices or indexes for individual items-----------------------------------------41
Subgroup, group, or all-items indexes-------------------------------------------42
Special studies--U.S. Department ofAgriculture------------------------------------42
BLS publications--------------------------------------------------------------------42
APPENDIX TABLE
A. List of foods and relative importance of individual foods and groups of foods
included in the retail food price index, December 1950, December 1952,
December 1959, and December 1960-------------------------43
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications for food items priced in 46 cities, as of January 1959, with changes
during 1959-60-------------------------------------------------------------------44




iii

Chart 1

RETAIL PRICES O F FO O D S
United States, 1913-60
IN D E X

IN D E X
140

l

14 0

l
o

1 9

41

7 -4 9 = 1 0

120

. / 'M
4K

T a ta l F o o d
1a T n o m e "

100

i j/S

120

V 'H

100

j P ' A L L FC> O D S *
80

80

60

60

1

40
A
'm
m
w'0n o i m
V
A

20




,1

19131915

40
y/// A/

j # // /
WORLD WAR 31^
9,^//^<>888SS8888888

r i

1 , 1 - 1 .... 1—..J

1920

1925

1930

.

1935

.

.

. 1

1940

1945

| m r | 1

1950

1955

20

1960

B e g in n in g J a n u a r y 1 9 5 3 , fo o d index in c lude s r e s t a u r a n t me a ls and
o th e r food b o u g h t a nd e a te n a w a y fr o m home.

Chart 2.

RETAIL PRICES FOR GROUPS OF FOODS
United States, 1953-60

1947 49=100 1
-

M e a t s , P o u ltry , a n d Fish

in d e x

140

120

100

80
F ruits a n d V e g e t a b le s

D a ir y P ro d u c ts

140

120

100

80
F o o d s A w a y fro m H o m e

140
120

100

1953 54

55




56

57

58

1953 ’54 ’55 ’56

59 1960

’57 ’58

’59 1960

80

Except w here o th e rw is e s p e c ifie d .

_

Chart 3.

RETAIL PRICES FOR SUBGROUPS OF MEAT AND POULTRY
United States, 1 947-60
IN D E X




IN D E X
150

140

130

120
110

100
90

80

70

1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958

1959 1960

60

Chart 4.

RETAIL PRICES FOR SUBGROUPS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
United States, 1 9 47 -6 0

1947 49=100
-

IN D E X




INDEX
170

160

150

140

130

120
110
100
90

80




Chart 6.




TREND OF RETAIL FOOD PRICES COMPARED WITH WHOLESALE
PRICE INDEXES FOR SPECIAL COMMODITY GROUPS
United States, 1947-60

1947 1948 1949 1950 1951

1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960
W h o l e s a l e f o o d s i n c l u d e : p r o c e s s e d fo o d s , fr e s h a n d d r i e d f r u i t s a n d v e g e t a b l e s , and eggs.




RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD, 1959-60
Summary
The index of retail prices of foods in the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price
Index was 2*3 percent higher in December 1960 than in December 1958, less than half the
increase of 5.1 percent in the previous 2-year period. If In December 1960, retail food
prices were 21.4 percent above the 1947-49 average and 157.7 percent above the 1939 average.
The rise in food prices in 1959 and 1960 was substantially less than the increase in prices
for other major consumption groups in the Consumer Price Index. During this period, medical
care advanced 7.0 percent; transportation, reading and recreation, and personal care, 2 to 5
percent; housing and apparel, 3 percent. 2/ The rise for food was less than half the 5.5
percent increase for services (See chart 5.) Food price changes for selected periods are
shown in table 1.
Table 1.

Percent Changes in Retail Food Prices in the United States for Selected Periods

1939
to
1948

1948
to
1952

1952
to
1960

Total food--— ----- ---------------— ----Food away from home------------- --------Total food at home---------------------- -

+121.0
<l/>
+121.0

+10.1
(1/)
+10.1

+ 4.5
(1/)
+ 2.0

+ 2.3
+ 5.5
+ 1.6

Cereals and bakery products-------------Meats, poultry, and fish--------- ------—
Beef and veal-------------------------Pork----------------------------------Poultry-------------------------------Fish----------------------------------Dairy products--------------------------Fruits and vegetables-------------------Frozen----- -------------------------- Fresh---------------------------------Canned----------- -------------------- Dried---------------------------------Other food at home---------- --- ----- --Beverages-— ---------------------------Fats and oils---------- ------------- Sugar and sweets-------- -------------Eggs-----------------------------------

+ 80.8
+155.0
+155.8
+150.2
+116.6
+210.1
+113.5
+117.1
<l/>
+123.3
+ 71.1
+164.9
+111.8
+114.5
+122.8
+ 72.9
+129.3

+13.0
+ 9.5
+19.1
- 4.2
- 5.1
+ 9.7
+ 4.9
+16.6
(1/)
+22.3
+ 3.6
- 2.5
+ 6.6
+69.1
-26.8
+ 8.1
- 7.5

+17.1
- 5.9
- 7.3
+ 1.8
-28.4
+ 4.5
+ 4.8
+ 9.5
+ 5.8
+ 8.8
+ 9.8
+25.5
- 2.3
- 4.8
- 1.5
+13.8
-13.9

+
-

Group and subgroup

December 1958
to
December 1960

3.7
2o2
1.5
3.0
0
+ .6
+ 4.4
+ 5.2
- 9.2
+ 9.4
0
+ 1.2
+ .8
- 5.8
- 6.7
- .5
+16.6

1/ Data not available.

1/ Unless otherwise indicated, historical comparisons in this bulletin relate to the
period December 1958 to December 1960. The index numbers are used when computing percent­
age changes.
2/ See historical series, Consumer Price Index. U.S.: All Items and Major Groups, 1947
Forward— Series B-l. Mimeographed tabulation available upon request to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.




1

Of the two major components of the food index, Food Away from Home (Restaurant Meals)
had a far greater rise over the 2-year period than the index for Food at Home. It increased
by 5.5 percent, continuing its steady upward trend, compared to a 1.6-percent increase for
Food at Home (chart 2.) The principal reason for the difference in price movements is that
food costs comprise only a part of the cost of meals served in restaurants. As in most
service industries, increased operating costs, aside from food costs, have been the major
reason for the constant upward trend in restaurant prices.
Retail grocery prices of food move in response to different factors. Although economic
activity and consumer incomes were rising during 1959, retail food prices decreased 1.5 per­
cent. Prices declined from January through May, turned upward in June and July and then
moved generally downward during the remainder of the year. The major changes contributing
to the 1959 decrease in the overall level of prices of food for home consumption were lower
prices for pork, eggs, fats and oils, and coffee, which were partially offset by higher
prices for dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and slightly increased prices for
beef. The trend reversed itself in 1960. Retail prices for food advanced 3.2 percent from
December 1959 to December 1960, reflecting an almost continuous upward trend during the year,
despite the economic downturn which took place during the last half of the year. Higher
prices for dairy products, cereal and bakery products, and pork contributed most to the
overall increase.
Recent fluctuations in general economic activity have not had much impact on retail
food prices. This is due in part to marketing costs which have had an increasingly impor­
tant influence on food prices, and which have climbed steadily over the past decade. These
costs, which include wages, containers, materials, fuel, transportation, taxes and many
other costs, are spread over the entire modern marketing system 3/ and are generally fixed
costs which are fairly insensitive to short-term fluctuations in the economy. In addition,
since consumer demand for food items tends to be relatively inelastic, small, or short-term
changes in income normally do not affect demand for food as significantly as the demand for
other commodities. In contrast, purchases of consumer durable goods are postponable and
their prices are, therefore, more sensitive to changes in the economic climate.
Prices for farm products, as well as retail food prices, are more directly affected by
a number of complex factors not closely related to the general economy. Total agricultural
production during 1959 and 1960 was at record levels, reflecting in part continuing techno­
logical improvements which in recent years have greatly increased the capacity of American
farms to produce. For example, commercial poultry production has expanded rapidly, as
improvements have been made in chicken and turkey breeds and in the technology of raising
poultry. As a result, the proportion of poultry to total red meat and poultry production
has increased from about one-seventh in 1955 to about one-fifth in 1960, while per capita
consumption of poultry increased 31 percent during the same period.
Another influence on prices in the agricultural sector of the economy has been the
continuation of programs to support farm prices and farm incomes, with resulting impacts on
wholesale and retail food prices. Over-production of certain commodities, as well as un­
usual weather conditions, also have had an effect on food prices, unrelated to the general
business cycle.
Retail food prices have not increased as fast as disposable income. According to the
U.S. Department of Commerce, per capita expenditure for food in 1959 and 1960 amounted to 20
percent of disposable income, compared to the 1947-49 average of 25.6 percent. In 1960,
compared with 1953 (the first year for which estimated work-time data were compiled by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics), it took 31 percent less time for a production worker in manufac
turing industries to earn the equivalent of 1 pound of frying chicken, 25 percent less for a
pound of white flour, and 25 percent for a quart of milk.
(See table 9.)
3/ Food Costs— Retail Prices, Farm Prices, Marketing Spreads. Miscellaneous Publication
No. 856, April 1961, (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service).




2

In the long run, fluctuations in economic activity and the degree of economic growth
have influenced consumer preferences and the per capita consumption of certain food items*
As consumer disposable incomes have increased over the past years, the trend has been toward
heavier purchases of meats, fruits and vegetables, partially prepared foods and other higher
priced foods, and reduced purchases of cereals, potatoes, and other lower cost foods. These
shifts have had an effect on food production and in some cases, on prices for these items*
During the 1954-58 period, per capita consumption included 12 percent more dairy products
and eggs than in the 1925-29 period, 25 percent more meat, fish and poultry, 50 percent more
citrus fruits and tomatoes, and 31 percent more coffee, tea, and cocoa* During the same
period, per capita consumption of flour and cereal products decreased 37 percent and
potatoes, 33 percent.
Price movements in 1959 and 1960 for the five major components of the food at home
group (fruits and vegetables; meats, poultry and fish; dairy products; cereals and bakery
products; and other foods at home) are compared with those for total food at home in
chart 2* During these 2 years, retail prices of fruits and vegetables moved primarily in
response to weather conditions and supply situations which were seasonal* Prices of fresh
fruits and vegetables fluctuated sharply, but averaged approximately 9 percent higher over
the 2 years, while frozen fruits and vegetables decreased by 9 percent* The only subgroup
which declined in price was meats, poultry and fish. Meat prices at the end of the 2-year
period were between 2 and 3 percent below the prices of 2 years earlier because of larger
supplies, particularly of pork, while poultry prices continued at the low levels made pos­
sible by more efficient production. Prices of dairy products continued their upward trend
begun in 1956 with the sharpest rise occurring for American cheese* Reflecting higher pro­
duction costs, prices of cereals and bakery products also rose as bread, the most important
item in the group, increased over 6 percent*
An increase in egg prices of approximately 17 percent exerted the major influence in
the other food at home subgroup, which also includes fats and oils, sugar and sweets, non­
alcoholic beverages, and miscellaneous foods (including partially prepared foods)* Although
egg prices increased over the 2-year period, the annual average price in 1959 was the lowest
in several years. Prices for fats and oils decreased almost 7 percent, as lard production
increased and more abundant supplies of vegetable oils became available* A new high was
established in the per capita consumption of margarine, while the per capita consumption of
lard reached a new low* The most significant price change within nonalcoholic beverages was
reported for coffee, which decreased 12 percent, continuing a decline begun in December 1956*
Granulated sugar prices rose substantially during the last half of 1960, reflecting the cut­
off of the Cuban sugar quota* On the average, fruits and vegetables advanced 5*2 percent;
dairy products, 4*4 percent; cereals and bakery products, 3*7 percent; and other foods at
home, 0*8 percent, while prices of meats, poultry, and fish declined 2*2 percent.
Changes in Retail Food Prices by Cities
Price changes among the 20 large cities for which data are published separately,
ranged from an increase of 3*5 percent to a decrease of 0*4 percent. In 19 of the 20 large
cities, the index for total foods, at home and away from home, increased over the 2-year
period, December 1958 to December 1960, but in varying amounts depending upon the relative
movements of the component groups. In all but two cities— Chicago and Cincinnati— prices of
meats, poultry, and fish decreased, while fruits and vegetables increased in all cities, and
the other components in most cities.
The greatest increase in total foods (3*5 percent) occurred in Chicago because of
greater-than-average advances for dairy products and cereal and bakery products; and a small
advance for meats, poultry, and fish, in contrast to the decrease experienced in most cities.
The average retail price of round steak in Chicago increased approximately 5 cents per pound
from December 1958 to December 1960, 4/ while average prices for the United States decreased
4/ See Retail Food Prices by Cities, monthly BLS release, December 1958 and December 1960.




3

fractionally by 0.3 cent per pound. At the beginning of the period, however, Chicago prices
for round steak averaged 19.1 cents per pound below the level of United States average prices
at that point. Chicago prices for center cut pork chops increased 3.2 cents per pound over
the 2-year period, while prices for all 20 cities averaged only slightly higher.
In addi­
tion, price of milk sold in grocery stores increased 2.5 cents per quart in Chicago, compared
with the United States average increase of 0.9 cent per quart, and white bread prices
advanced 2.1 cents per loaf, compared with an advance of 1.3 cents in United States average
prices for the 2 years.
Houston was the only city in which average food prices (total food) declined, with de­
creases of 7.5 percent for meats, poultry, and fish, and of 2.4 percent for other foods at
home, the largest recorded for these two subgroups in any of the 20 cities.
Prices of fry­
ing chickens dropped 5.5 cents per pound in Houston from December 1958 to December 1960,
compared with a decrease of 1 cent per pound in United States average prices.
Hamburger
prices also dropped sharply by 10.5 cents per pound, while United States average prices de­
clined 2.8 cents per pound during the same period.
Smaller than average increases in cereals
and bakery products, some fresh fruits and vegetables and larger than average decreases in
meats and poultry and a sizable decrease in coffee prices were the principal reasons for
lower food prices in Houston.
Although average food prices in Portland, Oreg., recorded a fractional advance, foods
at home averaged 0.5 percent lower during the 2-year period, influenced by a greater-thanaverage decrease for meats, poultry, and fish and a 2.3 percent decrease for other foods at
home. Hamburger prices in Portland, Oreg., declined 9.4 cents per pound, while United States
average prices declined 2.8 cents per pound, and prices for bacon declined 8.3 cents per
pound, compared with a 3.6 cent per pound decline in United States average prices for the
same period.
Sharply lower coffee prices contributed to the decrease in the other foods at
home subgroup in Portland.
Table 2 shows the percentage changes in total foods and its components for the United
States and 20 cities over the 2-year period.
Trends in Prices of Major Food Subgroups
Fruits and Vegetables
Average retail prices of fruits and vegetables increased 5.2 percent between December
1958 and December 1960, (table 1) with the major advance (4.5 percent) occurring in 1959.
At the primary market level, prices for fresh and dried fruits and vegetables averaged 8.8
percent higher in December 1959 than in December 1958, but then fluctuated sharply during
1960, ending the year only 0.3 percent above the December 1958 level. 5J Among the sub­
groups at retail, prices of fresh fruits and vegetables averaged 9.4 percent higher over the
2-year period. Prices of dried fruits and vegetables went up by 1.2 percent, while average
prices of the canned items remained unchanged from their December 1958 levels.
In contrast,
frozen fruits and vegetables decreased by 9.2 percent in price over the same period.
Trends
in average retail prices for fresh, canned, and frozen fruits and vegetables from 1947
through 1960 are shown in chart 4.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that rising marketing costs over the past
decade, in addition to fluctuations in the availability of supplies, have had an important
effect on the retail prices of fruits and vegetables.
From 1950 to 1960, the marketing
costs for fruits and vegetables have increased by approximately one-third, contributing sub­
stantially to increased retail prices. Transportation costs increased from 1950 to 1958

5J See Wholesale Prices and Price Indexes, 1959 (BLS Bull. 1295) for price data at primary
market level, pertaining to 1959 and prior years.




4

Table 2. "Percent Changes in Retail Food Prices in 20 Large Cities, by City and by Subgroup
December 1958-December 1960

Cereals
Heats,
and bakery poultry, Dairy
Total Food
Fruits and Other foods
food at home products and fish products vegetables
at home

United States-----------

+ 2.3

+ 1.6

+ 3.7

- 2.2

+ 4.4

+ 5.2

+ 0.8

Atlanta----------------Baltimore--------------Boston-- ----------—
Chicago----------------Cincinnati------------- Cleveland-— ---— -— ----Detroit----------------Houston---- ------------Kansas City------------Los Angeles------------Minneapolis-Sto Paul— -New York-Northeastern N.J.
Philadelphia-----------Pittsburgh-------------Portland, Oreg.--------St. Louis--------------San Francisco----------Scranton— ---------- ---Seattle— --------------Washington, D.C.------- -

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

1.0
5.2
1.7
7.2
5.6
2.7
3.5
1.8
6.5
4.7
.1
4.4
.6
4o5
.8
lo0
3.7
.1
2.5
5.1

. 1.5
- 1.2
- 2.0
+ .5
+ .3
- 2.3
- 3.7
- 7.5
- 4.5
- 1.9
- 3.2
- 2.3
- 2.5
- 2.6
- 6.1
- 2.9
- 1.3
- 3.4
- 1.0
2.7

+ 4.0
.4
- 1.8
+ 9.0
+ 2.2
- .3
+ 7.0
+ 2.4
+ 4.3
+ 5.4
+ 5.6
+ 4.2
+ 3.1
+ 3.5
+ 6.0
+ 5.1
+ 5.6
+ .3
+ 7.6
+ 3.9

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+




2.2
2.0
1.8
3.5
2.3
1.3
1.4
.4
1.4
3.4
1.6
3.1
1.7
2.2
.6
1.6
2.8
1.1
2.8
2.0

1.7
1.1
1.0
3.7
2.1
.9
1.0
1.7
.8
2.0
1.4
2.0
.8
1.9
.5
1.6
1.8
.3
1.5
1.8

5

3.8*
2.5
7.2
4.9
6.0
7.4
3.1
2.3
2.6
6.0
7.7
6.3
3.0
5.2
3.3
8.0
6.3
4.4
3.9
2.8

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

2.8
1.8
2.3
1.2
.7
.1
0
2.4
.5
.9
.1
1.0
2.6
3.0
2.3
.9
1.8
2.6
2.0
3.3

because of rate increases and increasing proportion of fresh vegetables produced in areas
far from consuming markets.
Labor costs, a major component in marketing charges, have in­
creased , but improvements in productivity have kept total labor costs from rising as much as
hourly earnings of workers. Costs of most goods and services purchased by marketing firms
also have risen during the decade. On the other hand, progressive efficiency in wholesale
and retail marketing practices and changes in channels of distribution have held down some
of these costs, 6/
Increased prices during 1959 for fresh apples, potatoes, and tomatoes (table 7), re­
flecting higher primary market prices, were the major factors contributing to the upward
trend of the retail fruits and vegetables index for that year. Although marketing costs
dropped slightly in 1959 from the peak levels reached in 1958, the effect on retail prices
in 1959 was more than offset by the higher prices received by growers. These higher prices
resulted from smaller supplies which were due to reduced production and adverse growing
conditions. On the other hand, overall lower prices to producers in 1960, combined with a
2-percent rise in the marketing bill, caused a small net increase in average retail prices
for the fruits and vegetables group (table 3), TJ
In the fresh fruits and vegetables subgroup, higher prices for apples, citrus fruit,
potatoes, and tomatoes were almost offset by lower prices for lettuce, celery, green beans,
carrots and cabbage. Average prices for processed items, both frozen and canned, decreased
during I960,
Fresh Vegetables. Supplies of most vegetables for fresh market sale in 1959 were sub­
stantially less than a year earlier, while supplies of the processed vegetables, both canned
and frozen, were comparatively abundant. In contrast, most fresh vegetables, with the ex­
ception of potatoes and tomatoes, were in abundant supply during 1960, while remaining
supplies of canned and frozen items were somewhat reduced from the previous year. The
changes in the supply situation for fresh vegetables during the 2 years resulted in a retail
price increase for all fresh vegetables combined, which was somewhat larger than the price
increase for fresh fruits over the same period.
Potato prices rose sharply during the first half of 1959 to a high point in June, 73
percent above the December 1958 level, because of reduced winter and early spring production.
With early and late summer crops almost equal to the corresponding period in 1958, potato
prices then declined seasonally through October 1959, A reduction in the late fall crop of
10 percent from 1958, caused potato prices to rise again by December 1959 to a level 20,4
percent above the previous year end prices. Further, the production of potatoes for harvest
during the winter months was much smaller in 1960 than in 1959, because of reduced acreage
and severe damage by cold weather in Florida, Prices during the early part of 1960 advanced
seasonally to a high point in May, which was more than a third above the December 1959
level and more than 60 percent above December 1958. Thereafter, as the supply situation
eased with more abundant spring and early summer crops coming to market, potato prices de­
clined gradually to a low point for 1960 in October, still 10,5 percent above October 1959
levels, and ended the year 9,1 percent higher than in December 1959,
Prices for tomatoes, one of the most important fresh vegetables in the index, fluctu­
ate sharply with availability of winter and early spring supplies in northern markets.
Severe setbacks to the tomato crop in Florida, owing to inclement weather in December 1958,
caused a sharp price increase in January 1959. Further substantial advances were recorded
in April and May 1959 when unfavorable weather conditions in Florida and Texas curtailed
6/ The Marketing and Transportation Situation, January 1960, p. 38. (U.S, Department of
Agriculture)•
TJ The Marketing and Transportation Situation, January 1961, p. 8. (U.S,Department of
Agriculture).




6

supplies of early spring tomatoes. Seasonal trends in prices prevailed until December 1959,
when adverse weather in Florida again caused higher prices, which averaged 12.1 percent above
those of December 1958. Although freezing weather in January 1960 sharply reduced the
Florida winter production of tomatoes to less than half that of 1959, prices dropped moder­
ately in February and March, with supplies supplemented by heavy imports from Mexico and
Cuba. Beginning in May 1960, with the influx of abundant late spring and summer crops,
tomato prices followed normal downward trends through September to a point 9 percent below
September 1959 prices. Subsequent to the loss of more than a third of Florida acreage during
hurricane Donna early in September, tomato prices rose seasonally during October and Noven&er
I960. Severe freezing weather in Florida during December, for the third year in succession,
caused prices to rise 57.2 percent higher than a month earlier, and 12.4 percent above the
level of December 1959 (table 6). Steady growth in consumer demand for fresh vegetables such
as tomatoes, as a result of higher average incomes, and reductions in available seasonal
supplies caused by adverse weather, contributed largely to the overall increase of 26.1 per­
cent in tomato prices from December 1958 to December I960.
Prices of green beans, like those for tomatoes and other tender crops, tend to fluctu­
ate widely with the availability of supplies from principal winter-and early spring-producing
areas. During the first 2 months of 1959, green bean prices jumped nearly 40 percent as a
result of freezing weather followed by excessive rains in Florida, one of the principal
sources of winter vegetables. Subsequently, prices followed seasonal trends until November
1959, when significantly lighter fall production caused a sharp advance above October prices.
In December 1959, prices for green beans were 42.1 percent higher than the level of December
1958, again influenced by bad weather in Florida. During February and March 1960, green bean
prices rose to the highest point of the 2-year period, as supplies were sharply curtailed by
late January freezes in Florida. As shipments of early spring crops picked up in April and
May, prices decreased to a seasonal low point in August, slightly above August 1959 levels.
During the remainder of the 1960 season, supplies of green beans were approximately the same
as a year earlier, despite some losses suffered in Florida during hurricane Donna in early
September. Prices moved seasonally upward to a level in December 1960 which was 25.4 percent
lower than the abnormally high prices of December 1959, and only 6 percent above December 1958
prices.
Cabbage prices followed much the same pattern as green bean prices over the 2-year
period, although price fluctuations were larger than those for green beans. With supplies of
spring cabbage slightly larger than the previous year's crops, cabbage prices declined sea­
sonally during the first half of 1959. Production of summer and fall cabbage fell sub*
stantially below the 1958 level, as well as the 1949-57 average, contributing to the steady
increase in prices during the latter part of 1959. In December 1959, prices were 57.2 per­
cent above December 1958 levels, reflecting very limited storage stocks and a 15-percent re­
duction in new cabbage production. During the early part of 1960, normal seasonal price de­
creases were retarded by supplies which were comparatively smaller than during the same
period in 1959. After the year's low point was reached in October 1960, cabbage prices rose
to a December level, still 30 percent lower than the abnormally high prices in December 1959.
This trend was the result of plentiful supplies from fall cabbage crops which were sub­
stantially larger than the 1959 short crops. Despite wide fluctuations, cabbage prices in­
creased only one-tenth over the 2-year period.
Lettuce prices followed a similar price pattern during 1959 and 1960, although the
changes were not as exaggerated as those for green beans and cabbage. Prices in 1959 de­
clined after February to a seasonal low point in May, then rose to the year's high in October,
and closed the year 6.2 percent above December 1958 levels, influenced by lighter production
of lettuce in 1959 than the previous year. During early 1960, lettuce prices were generally
above the corresponding period in 1959, affected by some production loss in Florida and
delayed harvesting in other areas due to cold, wet weather. With the exception of July, when




7

available local supplies were limited, prices during the remainder of the year were usually
under 1959 levels. As the result of much heavier lettuce production in 1960, prices in
December 1960 were 19.6 percent below December 1959, and 14.6 percent below December 1958.
Celery prices followed a pattern similar to lettuce, cabbage, and green beans, but
with variations less marked during the 2 years. Slightly smaller supplies in 1959 produced
prices in December only 2.9 percent higher than in December 1958. With the important Cali­
fornia crop up 3 percent in 1960, and larger supplies, at the end of the year, than in the
previous year, celery prices declined 17.2 percent from December 1959 and 14.8 percent on
the overall for the 2-year period.
Carrot prices followed trends similar to those for cabbage with a 6.7 percent increase
during 1959, and a decrease of 3 percent in 1960, resulting in a net increase of 3.5 percent
over the 2-year period. In contrast, prices for sweetpotatoes fell during 1959 because of
a heavier production, and increased sharply during 1960 with supplies one-fifth smaller than
the year before, reaching a point in December 1960 only 2.7 percent above prices in December
1958. Larger available supplies of dry onions during both years held onion prices 9.4 per­
cent below the levels of December 1958.
Fresh Fruits. The increase in fresh fruit prices, although smaller than for fresh
vegetables, contributed in part to the 2-year advance in average prices for the fruit and
vegetables group. A relatively small increase in 1959 was followed by a rise of 5.1 percent
in 1960, owing to substantially higher prices for apples and citrus fruits during the latter
half of the year. These increases were partially offset during 1960 by lower prices for
peaches, grapes, and watermelons--all in good supply. Only two of the fresh fruits--bananas
and grapes--recorded a decrease in average prices over the 2-year period.
Apple prices increased moderately (from December 1958) during the first half of 1959
to a seasonal high in June 24.1 percent under the previous year's abnormally high midyear
prices. A reduction of 9 percent in the 1959 apple crop, with the sharpest drop occurring
in the Western States, resulted in smaller year end stocks in 1959 than in 1958, and in a
price increase 5.8 percent above December 1958. During early 1960, apple prices fluctuated
around 1959 levels, and then, because of smaller cold storage stocks, increased sharply from
March to the seasonal high in July, 34 percent above the previous year's highest point.
Prices continued above 1959 levels for the last half of the year, with prices in December
1960, 11.4 percent above December 1959. Increased consumer demand for fresh apples, as a
substitute for reduced citrus supplies, plus a 13 percent smaller apple crop in 1960, which
was due to wet, cold weather, contributed to the unusual price increase from December 1959
to December I960. Although larger commercial plantings have built up production during
recent years, increased domestic demand for fresh apples, attributable to higher average
income levels and larger export volumes--a result of fewer Import restrictions and continuing
European prosperity--have been factors in the upward trend in apple prices in 1959 and 1960.
Orange prices in 1959 followed seasonal trends at levels below the relatively high
prices in 1958, when the Florida crop was severely curtailed by freezing temperatures in
December 1957 and January 1958. With heavier supplies of Florida oranges during late spring
and early summer, and the California Valencia crop 1^ times that of the previous year,
prices for oranges recorded a 1959 high in October of 70.5 cents per dozen, 19.5 percent
below the record high a year earlier. During early 1960, prices held near 1959 levels, with
remaining supplies of Florida and California oranges reduced by strong demand for both fresh
market shipment and processing. In April, prices started upward because of a lighter crop
of California Valencias in 1960 than in the previous year. With production of Florida
oranges somewhat smaller in 1960 than in 1959, and the movement to market delayed by the
effects of hurricand Donna, prices for oranges reached a record high of 87.5 cents per dozen
in October. By the end of the year, owing to generally smaller market supplies and continu­
ing strong demand, orange prices were 11.4 percent above those in December 1959, and 6.5
percent higher than in December 1958.




8

Among other citrus fruit, prices of lemons, during 1959 and the first half of 1960,
fluctuated around 1958 levels, with remaining supplies about the same as a year earlier. In
September 1960, prices of lemons for fresh use began to climb because of lighter-than-average
supplies, a result of smaller crops in both California and Arizona. Lemon prices in Decem­
ber 1960 averaged 15.7 percent higher than in December 1959, for a total increase of more
than 20 percent from December 1958. Grapefruit prices increased 5«3 percent over the 2-year
period. December 1959 prices for grapefruit were 1.0 percent under the December 1958 level,
as new grapefruit crops in Florida and Texas matured a few weeks earlier than in 1958, causing
lower average prices. Despite heavy loss of grapefruit from hurricane Donna, the 1960 Florida
crop averaged about the same as in 1959, while Texas production was 29 percent larger, and
Arizona production down a fifth from the previous year. Delays in the harvest and sale of the
fall Florida crop, owing to the hurricane, resulted in extremely high prices for grapefruit
in September and October 1960, and December prices 6.4 percent above December 1959 levels.
Important developments in citrus production in the United States since 1950 include
(1) a rising trend in total production, (2) increased dominance of Florida in producing
oranges and grapefruit, (3) increased emphasis on processing, and (4) shifts in consumption
from fresh citrus to processed items, especially frozen orange juice concentrate.
Larger than usual imports of bananas from Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica during 1959
contributed to a price decline of 8 percent from December 1958 to December 1959. Prices of
bananas during 1960, however, remained near 1959 levels, advancing by December 1960 frac­
tionally above prices a year earlier. Over the 2-year period, banana prices decreased 7.9
percent, recording the only decline among the important fresh fruits. Increased banana
supplies have been partially offset by increased per capita consumption over the years. In
1959, per capita consumption reached almost 23 pounds, higher than the consumption level for
either fresh oranges or fresh apples.
Seasonal fruits such as strawberries, peaches, and grapes in the first month of the
season generally retail at much higher prices than at the close of the previous season.
Retail prices for strawberries were higher in both 1959 and 1960, owing to smaller than
average crops, and recorded a 2-year increase of approximately 10 percent from June 1958 to
June I960. A smaller peach crop in 1959, followed by a heavy crop in 1960, resulted in a
2-year increase (between September of 1958 and 1960) of about 15 percent in retail prices for
peaches. Heavier than normal supplies of grapes during both years caused a net decline of
about 11 percent in average prices for grapes over the period October 1958 to October I960.
Processed Fruits and Vegetables. In contrast to fresh fruits and vegetables, prices of
frozen fruits and vegetables moved downward during 1959 and ended the year 6.8 percent below
the December 1958 level. Although prices for frozen peas and green beans declined over the
year by 0.9 and 1.7 percent, respectively, the chief factor in the group’s declining price
movement was the decrease of 12.4 percent in average prices of frozen orange juice concen­
trate. Beginning in January 1959, prices of this concentrate decreased sharply as supplies
became available from the record 1958-59 Florida pack which was 40 percent above the 1957-58
pack and 11 percent above the previous record in 1956-57. Although the pack of Florida
frozen orange juice concentrate in the 1959-60 season was smaller than the record 1958-59
output, substantially larger carryover stocks from the fall of 1959 contributed to moderately
declining prices, 7.3 percent lower by December 1960 than a year earlier. Despite increas­
ing consumer demand, average prices of frozen orange juice concentrate declined 18.8 percent
over the 2-year period, principally because of increasing production, as more oranges were
diverted from fresh to processing use.
The 1960 packs of frozen strawberries, green peas, and green beans were somewhat
reduced by poor growing conditions. Abnormally large stocks, however, were carried over
from the previous season, and overall supplies in 1960 remained nearly the same as in 1959.
The continued high level of demand and higher processing and distribution costs, however,
were factors in rising prices for these frozen items during 1960, resulting in 2 years1




9

average increases of 1.7 percent for strawberries, 3.7 percent for green peas, and 0.5 per­
cent for green beans. Frozen lemonade concentrate and frozen french fried potatoes were
added to the index in April 1960. During the 9 months of 1960 in which these items were
priced, frozen lemonade concentrate decreased 3.6 percent, and french fried potatoes increased
0.5 percent.
The prices of canned fruits and vegetables fluctuated narrowly over the 2-year period,
December 1958 to December 1960, with a fractional increase in 1959 offset by a corresponding
decrease in 1960. During 1959, the slightly higher prices for the group were influenced
chiefly by the advance in canned orange juice prices. A reduction in the 1958-59 pack of
canned orange juice in Florida, down 26 percent from the previous season, combined with
lighter than normal carryover stocks, caused prices to increase by 7.7 percent from December
1958 to the end of 1959. For other canned items, larger 1958-59 packs and heavy carryover
stocks were the primary factors in the price declines of peaches, fruit cocktail, peas, and
tomatoes, but these declines were not sufficient to offset the increased prices during 1959
of canned orange juice, pineapple, and sweet corn.
After reaching a price of 49.7 cents per 46-ounce can in December 1959, canned orange
juice fell to 43.4 cents in December 1960, a decrease of 12.6 percent which reflected heavy
production and record stocks on hand during the year. Prices of canned peaches also declined
slightly in 1960 because of continuing heavy supplies. With the exception of canned orange
juice and peaches, all other canned fruits and vegetables recorded higher average prices in
December 1960 than a year earlier. Smaller supplies of some items, particularly corn, peas,
and tomatoes, increased processing and distribution costs, and a continuing high level of
demand, were primary factors in the increases recorded for canned fruits and vegetables
during 1960. An increase of 5.2 percent in canned baby food prices, from December 1959 to
December 1960, was attributed to higher producing costs. The index for canned fruits and
vegetables as a group, unchanged at the end of the 2-year period, reflected decreases of 5.9
percent for canned orange juice, 4.0 percent for peaches, 1.7 percent for fruit cocktail,
and 1.0 percent for canned tomatoes which were offset by increases of 7„7 percent for canned
pineapple, 8.5 percent for corn, 2.7 percent for green peas, and 5.3 percent for canned baby
foods.
Dried fruit and vegetable prices averaged higher in 1960 than in 1959, with an increase
of 1.2 percent above December 1958 levels. Relatively short stocks of prunes on hand from
the unusually light tonnage dried in 1958, caused growers' prices to increase sharply and
retail prices to rise 6.5 percent over the 2-year period. A decline of 4.2 percent in
prices of dried pea beans, reflecting heavy supplies in 1959 and 1960, was not sufficient to
offset the upward price movement of dried prunes during the same period.
Meats, Poultry, and Fish
In contrast to increases for the other four food subgroups, prices of meats, poultry,
and fish decreased 2.2 percent on the average during 1959 and 1960. Price movements for
items within the subgroup showed diverse trends.
(See chart 3.) Poultry prices which con­
tinued at low levels in response to large supplies, did not change over the 2-year period
despite month-to-month variations. Meat prices fluctuated in response to usual seasonal
influences, as well as to cyclical changes in supply, finishing the 2-year period 2.8 per­
cent below prices in December 1958, with decreases much more pronounced for pork than for
beef and veal. Movements at retail, although moderate, were a direct reflection of similar
movements in prices of meats and livestock in primary markets. Packers' prices of meats de­
creased 5.5 percent and prices of livestock, 7.1 percent over the 2 years. Prices of both
livestock and meats in primary markets reached a low point for the 2 years in December 1959,
while retail prices continued to decrease through February 1960.




10

Hog numbers and pork production (as well as cattle and beef) run in cycles determined
in part by the biological characteristics of production and in part by other circumstances.
The hog production cycle in recent years has been characterized by about 2 years of increase
followed by 2 years of decrease in the spring pig crops (December to May)• Spring pig crops
increased in 1954 and 1955, decreased in 1956 and 1957, increased again in 1958 and 1959,
and decreased in I960.
The effects of cyclical changes in hog numbers and pork production were apparent in a
3 percent decrease in pork prices from December 1958 to the end of 1960. The previous down­
swing of production, which ended in July 1958 with the highest pork prices in several years,
was followed by declining prices to the end of 1959 as production increased, except for a
small seasonal increase in the late spring and early summer. Beginning in March 1960, how­
ever, pork prices increased when the effects of cutbacks in hog production began to appear
in reduced hog slaughter. The increase was more rapid than usual up to midyear, and prices
failed to show the usual seasonal decline to December.
The general decline in prices of pork chops from December 1958 up to March 1960 was
followed by a sharp rise in July 1960. Little or no seasonal decrease occurred thereafter,
and prices of chops in December 1960 were fractionally higher than in December 1958. Bacon
prices fluctuated more widely, decreasing 20 percent to the end of 1959 and rising there­
after to a point in December 1960 only 4.9 percent lower than in December 1958. Ham prices
followed the general pattern of movement of other pork products, finishing the period 6.2
percent lower than in December 1958.
Cattle cycles are much longer than those for hogs. Earlier cycles in cattle numbers
through 1928 approximated 17 years in length from low point to low point. Recent cycles
have become shorter; from 1938 to 1949, a period of 11 years, and from 1949 to 1958, a period
of 9 years. The shortening of the cycles appears to be related in part to improvements in
feeding practices and care which result in production of meat animals of desirable quality
and weight at younger ages. The years 1959 and 1960 fell in the early expansion period of
cattle numbers and beef production. The previous cycle had culminated in peak cattle numbers
in 1955 and beef production in 1956. Thereafter, both numbers and production of cattle and
of beef fell until 1958, when the turn in the cycle occurred.
Beef and veal prices decreased 1.5 percent over the period, following the sharp in­
creases of 1957 and 1958, reflecting the general increase in supplies, in the face of con­
tinued strong demand. Per capita consumption of beef increased from 80.5 pounds in 1958 to
81.4 pounds in 1959 and 85.2 pounds in 1960, only slightly below the 1956 record high. Con­
sumption of beef in 1960 was more than a third higher than in 1950, reflecting consumer
preference for beef over other meats and higher income levels.
Prices of round steak, chuck roast, and rib roast in 1960 were running generally below
those of 1959. A slight downward tendency of prices for beef items in both years, in con­
trast to the generally rising tendencies of 1958, resulted in small net changes over the
period for round steak (-0.2 percent) and rib roast (+0.5 percent). Chuck roast, however,
decreased 3.1 percent. Hamburger prices, also, influenced by some increase in slaughter of
cows from the low levels which prevailed through October 1959, decreased substantially in
the late months of 1959 and early months of 1960 and continued to decrease more slowly
thereafter. By the end of 1960, prices of hamburger averaged 4.9 percent below prices in
December 1958.
Veal production was influenced by the withholding of calves to increase cattle herds
over the period and, as a result, prices of veal cutlets completed the period 2.9 percent
above December 1958 levels.
The contrast between declining prices of beef and increasing prices for dairy products
is related to the continuing decreases in numbers of cattle for milk production, which has




11

been in progress since 1944. Although output of milk per cow has been increasing, per capita
consumption of dairy products has been decreasing.
Increasing slaughter of lambs over the 2 years, particularly at the height of the
marketing season in the late fall and winter months, was accompanied by lower prices for leg
of lamb in both 1959 and I960.
Prices of frankfurters and luncheon meat responded to increasing supplies of lower
grade beef and reduced prices of pork. During the 2 years, prices declined 4.2 and 5.2 per­
cent, respectively.
Prices of frying chickens in December 1958 were the lowest recorded up to that time,
and little further decline occurred during 1959 and 1960. Annual average prices of frying
chickens were lower than in any preceding year for which data are available; and those for
1960 were 27.5 percent below 1950 prices. 8/ Increasing production in 1959 was reflected in
the failure of prices to rise from seasonal lows to levels of the corresponding months of
1958o For example, continued large supplies in both years held down the seasonal increases
usually experienced in the postholiday months. Prices returned to nearly the same levels in
December 1959 and 1960 as in 1958, perhaps because these prices represented about the
minimums at which production could be efficiently maintained.
Development of chickens which attain marketable weight in less time, on less feed of
improved formulation and large supplies of feed grains, combined with improvements in produc­
tion techniques, allowing one man to care for many more chickens than he could a few years
ago, have reduced costs of raising frying chickens sufficiently to support the greatly in­
creased output at sharply lower prices.
Per capita consumption of chickens, which was at a record of 28.3 pounds in 1958,
remained at high levels in 1959 and 1960, as consumers took advantage of the low prices.
increase in consumption was sharp from 1955 to 1960 (32 percent)— a direct effect of the
rapid downturn in prices over that period.
Fish prices increased fractionally over the 2-year period from
cember 1960 (table 1). Canned salmon rose in price, particularly in
production. Some increases in canned tuna supplies in 1959 and 1960
prices somewhat lower than in 1958. Fresh fish prices showed little

The

December 1958 to De­
1960, following reduced
were accompanied by
change, on the average.

Dairy Products
Prices of dairy products increased 4.4 percent between December 1958 and December 1960,
continuing the upward trend begun in 1954. (See chart 2.) A slight decline in total United
States milk production from 1958 levels, changing patterns in consumption of certain dairy
products, and channeling o f a larger share of milk production to manufactured dairy products
were significant developments in the dairy products area over the 2-year period.
Retail prices of fluid milk, bought in stores as well as delivered to homes, averaged
about 4 percent higher between December 1958 and December I960. Within each of the 2 years,
milk prices fluctuated seasonally, declining during the spring months to a low point around
mid-year, and then rising during the remainder of the year. The rise in milk prices over the
For indexes of average annual retail prices of food in 1950, on a 1947-49 base, see
Retail Prices of Food, 1955-56 (BLS Bull. 1217), table 6, pp. 18-19. Monthly indexes pre­
sented in Retail Prices of Food,1950 (BLS Bull. 1055), table 6, on a 1935-39 base may be
converted to a 1947-49 base by means of conversion factors published in Retail Prices of
Food, 1953-54 (BLS Bull. 1183), table C, p. 36.




12

2-year period was due to several interrelated factors. Production of milk in the United
States in 1959 declined approximately 1 percent from the 1958 level, rose slightly during
1960, but still remained just under the 1958 level, according to U.S. Department of Agri­
culture data. 9/ Although total milk production, compared with most other farm products,
varies little from year to year (normally less than 2 percent), short-term fluctuations do
occur because of changes in productivity rates, size of herds, and the relationship between
milk and beef cattle prices. During the 2-year period, higher beef prices made beef produc­
tion more attractive than milk production, and as a result milk production declined in 1959.
The upturn in milk production in 1960, following a 3-year decline, was associated with some­
what lower prices for beef cattle relative to milk prices, large supplies of low priced feed,
and more favorable milk-feed price relationships.
Increased processing, marketing and delivery costs have contributed substantially to
the advance of milk prices over the 2-year period. The average hourly wage for dairy produc­
tion workers increased from an average of $1.95 in 19S8 to $2.16 for 1960, a rise of approxi­
mately 11 percent. 10/ In addition, most of the increase in milk production of 1960 was
channeled into manufactured dairy products, leaving less for other uses and adding pressure
to the upward price movement for fluid milk. The per capita consumption of fluid milk and
cream fell from 343 pounds in 1958 to 338 pounds in 1960. Although total disposable consumer
income has continued at a high level and the population in the younger, milk-consuming ages
has increased considerably, the steady decline in consumption of fluid milk has continued as
a result of changes in consumer preferences and purchasing habits. Increasing unemployment
during the last half of 1960, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, may have in­
fluenced the drop in per capita consumption of fluid milk.
The sharpest price change within the dairy products group occurred in prices for
American processed cheese which averaged 10d percent higher from December 1958 to December
1960. In contrast to the trends of most dairy products, civilian per capita consumption of
American cheese rose over the 2-year period, with the per capita consumption of American
cheese rising to 5.4 pounds, approximately 4 percent above the 1947-49 level. 11/ The
increased demand for cheese was apparently stimulated by relatively high prices for meats,
greater variety in types of cheeses, as well as improvements in marketing methods, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture suggested. 12/ As a result of the increase in demand for cheese,
prices of milk used in producing it rose, causing higher retail prices. Approximately 6 per­
cent of the 10.1 percent increase for prices of American cheese over the past two years,
occurred from September to December 1960.
Higher prices paid to farmers for milk to be used for butter and increased production
costs contributed to the 5.6 percent increase in butter prices from December 1958 to Decem­
ber 1959. During this same period, the per capita consumption of butter dropped from 8.4
pounds in 1958 to a new low of 8.0 pounds, compared with the 1947-49 average of 10.6 pounds
per person and the 1935-39 average of 17.0 pounds. 13/ Decreased demand for milk fat items
such as butter, and increased supplies of competing products at substantially lower prices,
have had considerable impact on the declining per capita consumption of butter according to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On the other hand, the per capita consumption of mar­
garine has increased significantly, from approximately 3 pounds in the period 1935-39

9J The Dairy Situation, February 1961, p. 21. (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
10/ 1960 data from Employment and Earnings, February 1961, table C-6; 1958 data from
Employment and Earnings, Annual Supplement, May 1960, table SC-5.
11/ The Dairy Situation, February 1961, p. 29, (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
12/ National Food Situation, February 1961, p. 9. (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
13/ Ibid., p. 4.




13

and 6 pounds in 1950 to 9.6 pounds in 1960, influenced by the lessening of Federal and State
restrictions on the production and sale of margarine over the past decade. Since 1948, the
annual average retail prices for margarine have been less than half the price of butter. In
addition to decreased demand, supplies of butter were sufficient in 1960 to cause prices to
drop to the support level, and to allow a sale of one-third of a million pounds of butter to
the Commodity Credit Corporation in late November 1960.
Ice cream average prices registered a small increase of 0.4 percent by the end of 1959,
but declined 1.4 percent below the December 1959 level by the end of 1960. As consumer in­
comes rose in 1959, per capita consumption of ice cream increased substantially, to about 5
percent over 1958. During 1960, the per capita consumption dropped slightly to 18.4 pounds,
14/ which may have been a reflection of increased unemployment in some localities during the
last half of the year.
Evaporated milk prices increased 4.3 percent from December 1958 to December 1960, as
production declined approximately 1.3 percent between 1958 and 1959 and 4.2 percent between
1959 and 1960, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As consumers have restricted
their intake of milk fat by switching to fluid products with a lower fat content, the use of
evaporated milk has declined. The per capita consumption dropped to 11.3 pounds in 1960,
compared with 11.9 pounds in 1959 and 18.1 pounds a decade ago. 15/
Cereals and Bakery Products
Continuing the constant upward trend of the past decade, shown in chart 2, the prices
of cereals and bakery products rose 3.7 percent from December 1958 to December 1960, with
the largest portion of the increase occurring in 1960.
With one exception, the prices of all cereal items increased over the 2-year period.
The abundance of supplies from the 1959-60 rice crop caused this commodity to decrease ap­
proximately 2 percent. Average prices for flour, the most important item in the cereals
subgroup, were almost 2 percent higher in December 1960 than in December 1958. Flour prices
had their sharpest upward movement during 1960, advancing an average of 2.7 percent over the
year, during which time higher production costs and heavy export demand caused increases at
the wholesale level. Combined exports of wheat and flour, according to the United States
forecast for the 1960-61 crop year, were 15.8 percent above 1959-60 and 7.4 percent above the
previous peak in 1956-57. 16/ From July to December 1960, exports of nearly 298 million
bushels of wheat and flour represented a two-thirds increase over the previous year, under
title I of Public Law 480, 17/ and established a new record for the first half of any
marketing year. 18/
Smaller-than-average supplies of rolled oats during 1959 and 1960, in addition to
higher processing costs, caused an increase of 9 percent over the 2-year period, the largest
increase recorded for any item in the cereals and bakery products group<, As of December 1960,
cornmeal had increased 0.8 percent and cornflakes, 1.9 percent over their December 1958
levels.
14/ Ibid., p. 4.
15/ The Dairy Situation, April 1961, p. 19. (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
The Wheat Situation. February 1961, p. 10, (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
17/ Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (83d Cong., 2d Sess.),
approved July 10. 1954.
18/ The Wheat Situation, February 1961, p. 9, (U.S. Department of Agriculture).

T57




14

Higher prices for these items were also attributed to increased processing costs.

Average prices for bread, advanced 6.4 percent from December 1958 to December 1960,
with the largest portion of this increase occurring within a relatively brief period of time
in 1960. The sharpest monthly increase in bread prices, almost 2 percent, was recorded in
July 1960, when advances of 3 to 6 percent were reported in eight cities. Additional reports
of higher prices in September, October, and December contributed to the 5.3-percent average
increase from December 1959 to the end of 1960, the highest for any year since 1951.
The decadelong upward trend in retail bread prices has been attributed to steadily
rising production and distribution costs. From 1950 to 1960, the average retail price of a
1-pound loaf of white bread increased over 40 percent, while the difference between the
retail price and the farm value of the ingredients used in producing the same loaf of bread
(the marketing or farm-retail spread) increased almost 75 percent.
19/ According to a study
made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the baker-wholesaler *s margin accounted for most
of the increase in the farm-retail spread and in retail bread prices. The baker-wholesaler *s
share of the retail bread price increased from 48 percent in 1950 to 59 percent in 1960,
while the farmer*s share declined by an equivalent amount from 25 to 14 percent.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture*s study indicates that a major factor influencing
the increased baker-wholesaler margin has been labor costs, which have increased a little
faster than all production costs in the aggregate, and much more rapidly than the price of
bread.
20/ Average hourly earnings of production and related workers in the bakery products
industry rose from $1.40 in 1951 to $2.16 in 1960, an increase of 54.3 percent, compared
with a 31.4-percent increase in retail bread prices during the same period.
21/
Other Foods at Home

The other foods at home group, with a relative weight of 18.3 percent in the Consumer
Price Index for all foods in December 1960 (Appendix table A), advanced 0.8 percent from De­
cember 1958 to December 1960. (See chart 2.) This group includes partially prepared foods,
condiments and sauces, nonalcoholic beverages, fats and oils, sugar and sweets, eggs (fresh),
and miscellaneous foods.
The largest price change within the group was recorded for eggs (a 16.6-percent in­
crease from December 1958 to December 1960). This increase and a 2.3-percent increase for
flavored gelatin more than offset decreases of 5.8-percent for nonalcoholic beverages, 6.7percent for fats and oils, and 0.5-percent for sugar and sweets.
Pronounced cyclical trends highlighted the movement of egg prices over the 2-year
period. Despite the large increase in the retail prices of eggs by December 1960, the 1959
annual average price of 53.0 cents per dozen (table 7) was the lowest yearly average since
1942, three-quarters of the 1947-49 average. Wholesale prices over the 2-year period
dropped 12.9 percent. 22/
Heavy production of eggs in the first half of 1959, well above that of a year earlier,
depressed retail prices to a low of 44.2 cents per dozen in June (about three-fifths of the
1947-49 average) and the lowest price since June 1942. In July, retail prices began moving
19/ The Marketing and Transportation Situation, January 1961, p. 31, (U.S. Department of
Agriculture)•
20/ Ibid., n. 34.
21/ Employment and Earnings, Annual Supplement, June 1957, table SC-1, p. 107, (U.S.Bureau
of Labor Statistics)•
22/ For December 1960 data, see release in series, Wholesale Prices and Price Indexes,
giving December 1960 final and January 1961 preliminary figures. For source of December
1958 data, see source cited in text footnote 5.




15

upward to a peak in September, as production declined seasonally and prolonged hot summer
weather lowered production further.
In October 1959, egg production recovered from the
summer lows and prices again trended downward.
Egg prices were relatively steady during the
last 3 months of 1959, as the seasonal increase in production was partially countered by
cyclical reductions in the size of the United States laying flock. Retail prices in 1959
ranged from a low of 44.2 cents per dozen in
June to a high of 58.3
cents in September.

Adverse weather conditions during the early part of 1960 disrupted the normal seasonal
increase in egg production. This temporary slip in production, combined with reductions in
the size of the laying flocks and high seasonal demand during the Easter period, tended to
push prices upward in March and April. The effects of these factors became distinctly ap­
parent in April when retail prices averaged 15.1 percent above the April 1959 level (table 7).
Some seasonal declines in prices occurred in May and June, as egg production recovered from
the late winter weather. Prices reached their peak in October with the average retail price
at 69.9 cents per dozen. The annual average
price for 1960 was 57.3 cents per dozen, the
same as in 1957, and the second lowest price since 1944.
Several factors accounted for the comparatively lower retail prices for eggs over the
2-year period, December 1958 to December 1960. According to the U.S. Department of Agri­
culture data, egg production in 1959 reached an alltime high. Although production declined
in 1960, that year was the fifth largest production year on record, with higher production
reached only in 1956-59. Besides increased supplies, the steady decline in the per capita
consumption of eggs has had a depressing effect on prices. During the past decade, egg con­
sumption has dropped about one-sixth, from 389 eggs per capita in 1950 to an 18-year low of
325 in 1960. Rising productivity per layer over the past 20 years has also been an important
factor. Although the total size of laying flocks has been decreasing steadily, egg produc­
tion per layer has risen from 134 in 1940 to 209 in 1960. On the other hand, these condi­
tions have been partially offset by the relatively steady growth of population in the United
States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also found through surveys that egg consump­
tion has been affected very little by the steady rise of disposable consumer income. Consumer
spending for eggs, according to these studies, has not been influenced to any great degree
by variations in price or supply. 23/
The most significant price change within the nonalcoholic beverage subgroup was re­
ported for coffee. A further decline of 12 percent over the 2-year period in average coffee
prices continued the general downward trend begun in December 1956 and primarily accounted
for a decrease of 5.8 percent in the beverages subgroup.
Prices of both canned and bag coffee fell almost steadily during 1959, for a decrease
over the year of 11 percent. Continuing crop surpluses in both the Latin American and Afri­
can producing countries caused wholesale prices of coffee beans to decline, resulting in
lower manufacturers' and retailers' prices for roasted coffee. During 1960, however, price
trends were reversed by the successful efforts of the Latin American producing areas in
achieving nearly stabilized coffee prices by means of mutual agreements on export prices and
quota allocations. Only four month-to-month price decreases were reported at retail during
1960, with a small decline of approximately 1 percent for the year, compared with the 11-per­
cent decline in 1959. Coffee in 1-pound cans dropped from an average of 85.3 cents in De­
cember 1958 to 74.4 cents in December 1960, a total of 12.8 percent. Coffee in bags declined
from 66.3 cents to 59.0 cents per pound on the average, a total of 11 percent over the same
period.
Average retail prices for tea rose somewhat from December 1958 to December 1960. Ac­
cording to world tea statistics, demand for tea at the end of 1959 exceeded available sup­
plies, with overall tea consumption some 20 million pounds ahead of production.
24/ The sit­
uation was further aggravated during the first 10 months of 1960 when production in the
principal tea producing countries fell below that of the corresponding 1959 period.

23/ The Demand, Supply, and Price Structure for Eggs, AMS Technical Bulletin No. 1204, Wash­
ington, November 1959, p. 10, (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
24/ Tea and Coffee Trade Journal, (New York,) February 1961, p. 43.
16




Prices for cola drinks averaged 7 percent higher in December 1960 than in December
1958. The sharpest month-to-month advance, from 28.3 to 29.2 cents, occurred in March 1959,
while some advances occurred in April, May, and June of 1960. Increases in retail prices of
cola drinks were attributed to higher processing and distribution costs over the 2-year
period.
Diverse price movements occurred in the sugar and sweets subgroup over the 2-year
period. Prices averaged 1 percent higher from December 1958 to December 1959 and 1.5 percent
lower from December 1959 to December 1960, a net decrease of 0.5 percent. The principal
cause of the decline in prices of sweets during 1960 was a 10 percent decrease in the price
of chocolate candy bars. Prices of this item were relatively stable during 1959 and the
first 9 months of 1960. Sharply lower prices in October, November, and December 1960 were
due to an increase in the size of the chocolate candy bar, from 7/8 ounce to 1 ounce. (Manu­
facturers increased the size of this item after the prices of cocoa beans, a principal in­
gredient, had decreased substantially.) Over the 2-year period, chocolate candy bars aver­
aged 10.7 percent lower in price. This price movement was in contrast to the previous 2-year
period when a reduction in size of the chocolate candy bar caused a 14.3 percent price in­
crease over the period. 25/
Average prices for granulated sugar, the most important item of the sweets subgroup,
increased 4o6 percent over the 2 years. During the first 5 months of 1959, refined sugar
prices generally declined at retail, reflecting the lowest raw sugar prices on the New York
Exchange since 1955. Beginning in June 1959, prior to the season of peak sugar usage and
advancing refinery prices, an upward trend of seven successive month-to-month increases
resulted in an overall advance of almost 2 percent for the year. Average sugar prices gener­
ally declined during the first half of 1960, because of the availability of supplies from the
unusually large inventories of refiners' stocks at the end of 1959.
In July 1960, sugar prices started to rise, reflecting the confusion in the market
which followed the cutoff of the Cuban quota in raw sugar during the season of maximum sugar
usage* The sharpest rises in refined sugar prices occurred in August 1960, with a 2 percent
increase and in September with a 1.1 percent increase, following advances in wholesalers'
prices, effective in the latter part of July. The upward trend of prices during the last
half of 1960 contributed to an increase of almost 3 percent over the year. Among other items
in the sugar and sweets subgroup, corn syrup advanced 1.9 percent and grape jelly, 4 percent
during the 2 years.
Fats and oils averaged 6.7 percent lower over the 2-year period from December 1958 to
December 1960, as prices for all items within the group declined over the period. Increased
production of lard and abundant supplies of vegetable oils were the primary reasons for the
6.8 percent drop in prices of fats and oils during 1959. With the exception of July 1959,
prices for fats and oils trended downward throughout 1959 and continued downward well into
1960. As the supply situation changed, prices for fats and oils began to move upward through­
out the last half of the year. Heavy exports, combined with a strong domestic demand for
vegetable oils used to manufacture vegetable oil products and a decline in lard production
well below the previous year's level were factors contributing to the rise in prices which
occurred from July to December 1960. The record export movement during 1959-60 was stimu­
lated by the reduction in supplies from other major producing areas and was further acceler­
ated as United States prices became more competitive in the world markets. Foreign demand
for United States vegetable oils, as well as for oilseeds in Europe, was particularly strong
because of population growth and the relatively low level of stocks of fats and oils in
1959.
25/ For indexes of retail prices in December 1956 and December 1958, see, respectively,
Retail Prices of Food, 1955-56, (BLS Bull. 1217), and Retail Prices of Food, 1957-58, (BLS
Bull. 1254).




17

Although prices of fats and oils advanced generally in the second half of 1960, the
annual average retail prices for shortening, margarine, lard, and salad dressing for 1960
were at the lowest level in several years. Prices for lard declined 10.4 percent between De­
cember 1958 and December 1960. The annual average for 1960 was 70.3 percent of the 1947-49
average, the lowest level since 1952. Shortening prices dropped 8.4 percent during the 2-year
period, with the 1960 annual average index reaching the lowest level since 1946. Salad dress­
ing declined 5.2 percent, with the 1960 annual average index reaching the lowest level since
1956. The long-term downward trend in margarine prices continued, with the December 1960
prices 6.2 percent below the December 1958 level, the lowest since 1945.
During both 1959 and 1960, new per capita consumption records were established for mar­
garine, with 902 pounds for 1959 and 9.4 pounds for 1960, compared with approximately 4.0
pounds in 1946. A record was likewise established for lard when the per capita consumption
in 1960 reached a new low of 7.9 pounds, down from 12.3 pounds in 1950. The decrease in the
use of lard can be traced in large part, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to
the increased use of shortening as a substitute for lard, changes in consumer tastes and
preferences, and the trend toward lighter diets.
In addition, the shift in population from
agricultural to urban areas has been a major factor in the reduced production and consumption
of lard.




18

Table 3.

Indexes of Retail Prices of Food in the United States l/, by Commodity Group, by Tear, 1923-60 7 j 2 /
^19l*7-i*9«»100 unless otherwise indicate^

Tear

Total
foods

Foods
away
from
hoape

Total
Cereals
and
foods
bakery
at
home products

— —
— -—
—
—

---....
—
-— —

«...
—
___
___
—

____
-— —
—
—

Ul . 6
U 6 .1*
1)9.7
5o.i
52.1

_____

______

—
—
—
-—

—
-—
-—
—

1938--------1939--------19U0--------19bl--------19U2---------

1*8 .1*
1*7.1
1*7 . 8
52.2
61.3

____

____

— —
—
—
—

-—
—
-— —

19U3-------19bU--------19U5-------19U6-.......
151)7--------

68.3
67.1*

__ — —
-—
— —
—

___
-— —

__ _
— -— — —
-—

___

1923------- 192U-------1925-------1926-------1927--------

6 l.l*
6 0 .8
6 5*8
6 8 .0

1 92 8 --------1 92 9 ---------

6 U .8
6 5 .6
6 2 ,u

1930--------1931--------1932--------1933-------193U-------1935--------1 9 3 6 --------1937--------

65.5

5l.U
1*2 . 8

6 8 .9

79.0
95.9

19l)8-........
191,9-------1950— ......
1951-------1952---------

lOlul
100.0
101.2
112.6
111*.6

1953--------1951,--------1955--------1956---------

112.8
112.6
110.9
111.7

1957-------1958-------1 95 9 --------I960--------

115.1*
120.3
118.3
119.7

1 0 0 .6

-— -

—
-—
—

Meats,
poultry,
and
fish 5 /

Meats
Total

1/

Park

leg
of
lamb

Chickens

Fish

Dairy
products

Total

Frozen

Canned

Dried

8 2 .3

’“ 7 0 '
76.9

71.3
61*.9
6U.7

— —
—

77.3
76.0

6 2 .0

—
—

75.8

6 2 .6

7 8 .2
71*.6

69.5
6i*.5
1*8.3
37.1

1*3 .6

61*.9
70.2
70.0
68.5

hi*.I
U7.9
50.7
1*9.9

— —
....
....
—
—

— —
....
....
.— .
—

— ...»
....
— —

—
— —
....

6 6 .6

53.0
5U.7
51.3
U3.5
3U.1

....
....
....
....
—

....
....
....
....
—

....
....
....
....
—

....
—
....
....
—

____

29.7

....
-___
1)3.9
1*3 .0
1*6 .1*

....

....
....
1*8.7
1*9.1
1*9 . 6

....

____

....

1*3.0

....

5 6 .1*
58.0

55.3
65.3

39.5

3 2 .8

1*7 .2
5o . 6
5 2 .8

55.7
58.3

1*9.6
52.5
51*.5

1*8 .8

1*6 .8

6 6 .8

51*.7

5 2 .8

—
—
—

50.1*
51.5

63.5
61*.9

52.6
58.2
65.1

1*5 . 6
1*6.3
1*7.3
50.5
61*.1

____
___
____
....
—

1*3.7
1*5.1
1*6.1
1*9.1*
63.0

82.7
82.1*
86.7
89.3
97.6

....
__
.—
____
—

81*.1*
81*.0

100.7
103.7
97.7
105.9
123.2

65.1
63.1
55.3
5 o.o
51.2
59.5
6 1 .6
6 0 .9

3l) . 0
1)3 . 0
1*2 .6

62.5

U5.5

6 0 .1*
57.2
58.6
59.2

1*2 .6
1*1 . 6
1*1 .2

1*2 .1
1*1 .2

6 3 .6

1*6.3
5U.2

65.1
65.6
65.9
75.6
9l*.0

57.6
55.9
56.5
69.1*
93.5

103.1*
102.7
10l*.5
im . o

1 0 6 .1
1 0 0 .5

1 1 6 .8

10l*.9
117.2
116.2

1*1 .1*

1(3.1

1*6.1*
53.1*

Ui.5
1*2.5
1*3.2
1*6.6
52.0

ia* .8
1*1 .1*
3 7 .8
1*6 .6

5U.2
51.1*
51.5
65.8
93.6

52.1*
1*9.9
1*9.8
63.3
89.8

55.8
52.2
52.1*
6 9 .0
1 0 0 .5

1 0 6 .1* 108.7

1 0 3 .6

100.0

101.5
111.7
130.5
129.5

95.9
9l*.6
100.1*
99.3

102.1
98.3
97.2
95.7

110.5
113.9
98.1
93.1

10U.3

102.8
119.6
123.2
120.0

107.3
11 U.U
101.8

103.5
112.3
109.2
107.5

U2.7

1 0 5 .5

119.5
ne.U

109.9
108.0
101.6
97.1

1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .0
1 0 1 .2

105.1*

121.9
123.9
125.6

109.3
112.6
115.8
llfi.8

113.8
lie. p
115.9
116.9

130.5
133.1
13U.2
136.8

105.2
115.1
110.7
109.3

108.7
121.0

1 1 9 .1

1*1.5
39.8
1*1*.8

—

97.9

1 1 6 .6

111*.5

56.1

1 0 1 .1

1*0 . 1
1*0 . 8

—
....
—
—

—

—
—
....
....
—

67.2
61*.1*
66.5

....
....
—
....
—

6 8 .2
6 8 .0
6 2 .8

32.9
33.7

6 6 .1

67.9

53.U
U*.l

537o
78.1
90.6
103.2
90.0

— —
....
....
....
—

79.0
82.8

....
....
....
....
—

8 6 .9
6 1 .6

50.7

51.3

1*0.8
1*3.7
50.8

51*.3
1*8.7
1*9.2
53.0
63.7

33.8
33.7
36.9
1*1.6
5U.U

56.1
55.1
55.7
67.1
90.2

75.9
78.1*
8o.2
90.3
95.1

6 9 .0

69.3
72.5
78.9
90.6

69.9
69.1*
69.5
85.7
96.7

101.1
103.1
107.3
120.2
118.1

105.5
99.1*
95.2
99.7
100.1

10U.5
10l*o9
103.0
117.6
111*.6

106.3
96.9
95.9
107.0
111.5

100 „5
101.9
97.6
106.7
117.2

— —
-—
___
111.7
102 08

109.6

113.5
111 .9
113.5
119.0

101.2
99.1
99.5
103.1

118.6
127.1
125.1
128.3

97.8
117.9
115.2

1 0 2 .5

98.2
99.8

97.6 110.3
88.1 110.8
91.7 1 0 8 .6
8 0 .1* 108.5
78.1*
77.5
70.6
71.7

109.9
117.6
119.6
119.7

51.7
1*9 .8

1 0 6 .1

105.9
108.7
111.8
113.5
111*.3
1 1 6 .8

1 0 8 .8

Total Bever­ Fats
and
ages
7/
oils

Fresh

6/

5575

112.5
111.9
109.7
110.2

102.3
1 0 3 .1*

Beef
and
veal

Other :
foods at ho ms

Fruits and vegetables

77.1
91.7
107.3
9 2 .2

78.9
82.3
8 8 .1
6 1 .0

50.2

8 3 .2

65.0
57.3

59.3

35.9
Ul.l
1*1 . 0
39.3
1*7 .2

— —
....
—
—

8 0 .0

71*.3
82.6
80.3
73.6

80.9
80.7

71.1
70.5

7 0 .2
6 1 .0

6 6 .0

55.1
___
—
—
—

5o.i
52.7
50.9
1*8.7
50.7

76.5

37.9
37.9
1*0.9
1*3.1*
55.1*

__ _

82.1
81.1*
81.9
88.6
10h.5

61*.6
66.9
68 .U
77.1*
307.2

___
—
—
....
100.1

99.U
91.8
10h.3
103.0

100.1*
92.5
92.9
101.6
97.9

102.5
97.5
101.2
111*.6
109.3

100.1*
108.1
153.0
168.7

122.8

105.0
10i*.0
10t*.0
107.9

10l*.0
108.3
116.3
111*.6

112.2
111*. 8
m.5
112.8

123.7
132.6
126.1*
13U.1

106.3
110.8
116.9
113.1

111.5
118.2
121*.7
122.9

8 9 .2

90.1*
95.5

1 1 6 .1

113.9
1 1 6 .0

61.3
58.1
58.1
6 1 .6

9 6 .2

—
—
—

1*7.8
1*6 .8
1*5.3
1*9.7
59.8
6 1 .1

9 0 .0

6 6 .8
6 8 .3

70.5
67.9
71.9

7U.3

6 9 .6

6 9 .6

65 .U

53.2
39.1*

5 6 .1

50.7

67. h
70.6
59.6
1*7.0
1*0 .1*

3 6 .8

53.3
55.14
57.0
56.3
57.2

38.3
1*3.5
51.2
50,7
1*9.7

1*2.3
6 1 .1

57.0
5 8 .6

51.8
1*8 .6

1*5.5
52.1
6 6 .3

61*.6
60.7

55.1*
56.9
51*.8
60.2
71.5

1*9.3
1*1*.7

1*6.1
55.1
6 7 .0

79.5
75.6
80.7
82.9

69.9
68.3
68.7
81*.3
109.1*

71.9
73.5
71.5
81.1*
101.8

108.3
82.2
79.9
93.5
79.3

98.1* 102.5
99.8 98.8
101.8 85.3
105.5 103.8
1 0 6 .I* 9l*.8

17l*.5
207.3
185.6
19h .0

79.6
83.9
81.3
83.1

107.6 100.1*
109.8 81*.0
112.2 86.8
109.6 86.3

112.9 192.7
112.)j 179.1
1 0 6 .1 162.7
1 0 6 .8 161.6

86.8
85.8
81.8
78.1

112.8
117.9
120.5
121.1

60.9
6 1 .1

68.1*
91.5

1 6 9 .8

1/ 51-city average, January 1923-February 1943; 56 cities, March 1943-December 1952j 4 6 cities, beginning January 1953.
2/ Total food indexes, 1913-22: 1913— 39.6; 1914— 40.5; 1915— 40.0; 1916— 45.0; 1917— 57.9; 1918— 66.5; 1919— 74.2; 1920— 83.6; 1921— 63.5; 1922— 59.4.
2/ Indexes for the years 1923-52 have been computed by converting indexes from 1935-39 base, previously published, to the 1947-49 base. See Retail Prices of Food
1955-56, BLS Bulletin 1217, (table C, p. 37) for conversion factors.
4 / January 1953=100. Restaurant meals included in total foods beginning January 1953.
2/ Only total meats, poultry, and fish available through 1934. Other meats included in meats, and in meats, poultry, and fish, beginning January 1953.
6/ December 1952=100.
2/ Partially prepared foods and other miscellaneous foods included in total foods bought to be prepared at home beginning January 1953.




99.2

6 h.i*

72.3
83.U
83.U

Sugar
and Eggs
sweets

9 8 .6

82.2
86.5
75.7
81.6

Table 4.

Indexes of Retail Prices of Food in the United States, by Commodity Group, by Month, December 1957-^scombar I960

")J

/1947-49=100 unless otherwise indicated/

Total
foods

Foods
away
from
home
2/

Total
foods
at
home

Cereals
and
bakery
products

Meats,
poultry,
and
fish

1957
December----------

116 1

111.0

114 3

131.8

106.0

110.5

1958
January— -----February---------March— — —
ADril--------------May— ------------June-----------------July----------------August-------------September-- ——
October-----------November---------December----------

118 2
118 7
120 8
121 6
121 6
121 6
121 7
120 7
120 3
119,.7
119,.4
118,.7

1 1 1 .1
111.3
111.8
112.0
112.2
112 .7
112.8
113.3
113.4
113.3
113.7
113.6

116 7
117 2
119 6
120 5
120 5
120 4
120 5
119 2
118 7
118..0
117.,6
116..8

132.5
132.6
132.7
132.7
132.8
132.9
132.9
132.9
133.5
133.9
134.0
134.0

110.2
112.0
114.4
115.9
116.6
118.3
119.2
117.7
115.8
114.6
113.5
113.0

12£2
January-----------Febru ary---------March— ——————
—
April--------------May------------------June----------------July----------------August-------- ----September-------October-----------November---------December----------

119,.0
118,.2
117,.7
117,.6
117,.7
118,.9
119,.4
118,.3
118..7
118..4
117,
117,.3

114.0
114.1
114.3
114.8
115.2
115.6
116.2
116.6
116.8
116.9
117.2
117.3

117..1
116,.1
115..5
115..3
115..2
116,.6
117..1
115.,7
116.,2
115.,3
115..1
115.,0

133.9
133.3
134.1
134.1
134.5
134.2
134.4
134.0
134.1
134.1
134.2
134.5

1960
January-------- —
February---------March—— — - — —
April----------------May— —— ——— ——
June----- -----------July----------------August-------------September---------October-----------November---------December----------

117..6
117,.4
117..7
119.,5
119.,7
120..3
120.,6
120.,1
120..2
120.,9
121,.1
121..4

117.6
117.8
118.0
118.5
118.6
118.8
118.9
119.1
119.3
119.4
119.6
119.9

i7
114.
114.,4
114.,7
116.,7
117.,0
117.,7
117.(Q
117..4
117.■4
118..2
113.■4
118..7

134.8
135.2
135.5
135.8
135.6
136.1
137.5
137.7
137.8
133.5
138.6
139.0

Year
and
Month

l/
2/
2/

Meats
Beef
and
veal

Leg
of
lamb

Chick­
ens

Fish

107.7

105.2

105.1

74.2

112.2

115.1
116.7
118.8
121.5
122.0
124.2
125.4
124.3
122.5
121.4
120.0
119.9

112.8
114.3
117.9
121.5
121.7
122.6
122.3
119.8
119.5
120.2
120.5
121.0

110.1
111.3
112.6
114.7
115.0
113.3
120.7
120.3
116.8
113.7
110.2
109.4

110.5
113.2
112.4
113.4
111.8
112.6
113.1
111.6
111.9
112.4
112.6
112.3

77.0
79.7
83.5
80.1
31.7
81.9
81.5
77.6
74.1
71.6
71.7
69.0

113.3
112.6
111.3
111.5
111.6
111.6
112.0
109.9
110.4
10'; •0
107.9
106.6

120.2
118.3
116.7
117.3
117.7
118.0
118.1
115.3
116.5
115.1
113.5
111.7

123.0
124.0
123.5
123.6
124.2
123.9
124.5
122.5
122.6
122.6
122.2
121.6

103.7
104.4
101.4
102.6
103.3
104.3
104.1
101.0
1C2.4
96.6
93.5

109.6
107.4
107.1
109.2
111.0
112.1
111.7
108.3
108.7
108.6
108.2
107.4

106.4
106.2
107.2
109.3
109.7
110.3
110.8
111.3
110.2
110.0
109.9
110.5

110.8
110.4
111.4
114.1
115.0
115.8
116.0
117.0
115.8
116.0
115.7
116.5

121.0
120.2
120.5
122.2
121.6
121.0
120.1
119.6
118.6
118.2
118.0
119.2

92.4
92.5
94.2
98.2
100.5
102.7
104.5
106.7
104.9
105.8
105.2
106.1

106.6
105.5
107.2
109.1
110.8
112.1
109.2
106.9
106.6
106.4
106.0
104.1

99.4

Dairy
products

Total

Frozen
1/

Fresh

Canned

D^ied

Total Bever­
ages

114.6

113.9

97.7

116.5

105.3

111.1

114.9

183.8

86.1

113.4

95.5

113.3
115.4
117.1
117.6
117.6
117.1
117.6
117.8
118.2
119.0
119.6
119.9

114.6
114.5
114.1
112.5
111.8
111.7
112.4
113.0
114.1
114.5
114.5
114.3

121.9
124.4
130.7
136.6
137.4
134.3
131.9
124.9
120.7
121.0
121.1
120.1

107.6
110.3
112.7
115.5
116.2
119.8
121.0
121.8
122.4
122.2
122.6
122.4

128.0
131.4
140.9
149.3
150.0
144.0
139.5
127.7
120.5
120.5
120.3
118.5

106.0
106.5
107.4
103.6
109.5
110.6
111.5
112.4
113.2
114.1
114.6
115.0

112.0
112.3
113,9
116.4
117.3
118.5
119.6
120.4
121.4
121.5
121.9
123.2

113.1
111.3
113.8
112.4
111.5
110.9
111.8
112.8
115.2
113.2
112.6
110.7

184.8
184.7
183.4
182.5
181.2
180.9
179.9
173.2
174.7
174.1
173.3
171.4

86.3
85.3
36.1
86.2
86.2
85.9
35.3
35.3
35.6
85.5
35.4
85.4

113.7
113.6
113.9
117.1
118.4
119.2
119.6
119.8
119.9
120.0
120.0
120.0

87.6
31.4
90.6
84-5
31.1
78.9
82.5
87.2
93.5
91.4
89.9
84.4

72.1
73.1
73.2
71.7
70.8
69.6
71.2
69.8
70.0
68.2
68.5
68.3

121.0
120.9
120.5
120.8
119.7
119.6
119.5
118.9
118.4
118.3
118.8
119.0

114.1
114.0
113.8
112.9
112.6
112.3
113.3
114.1
115.5
116.1
116.0
116.7

121.7
121.2
120.7
123.6
125.6
134.5
130.8
125.6
124.1
124.5
123.4
125.5

119.1
114.6
113.6
113.4
112.6
113.9
115.6
116.3
116.7
116.4
116.4
114.1

121.1
120.6
119.7
124.1
127.2
141.1
134.6
126.4
124.3
125.4
123.9
128.1

115.6
116.0
116.4
116.9
117.5
118.0
118.7
118.4
117.4
116.8
116.4
115.2

123.5
124.0
124.7
125.2
125.4
125.9
126.2
125.8
125.5
124.5
123.1
122.4

109.9
108.1
107.3
104.7
102.8
102.3
105.7
106.2
107.6
107.0
106.4
105.4

168.9
165.0
165.4
164.4
161.5
160.6
160.9
160.7
160.7
161.5
161.4
161.1

34.9
33.7
82.8
32.3
31.3
81.7
81.8
81.5
31.2
30.5
80.2
7 °. 6

120.1
120.1
120.2
120.1
119.9
120.2
120.6
120.7
120.8
121.0
121.1
121.2

83.3
80.0
77.5
63.9
64.5
63.3
75.0
77.4
33.1
30.8
7'-'. 9
75.3

71.4
72.5
74.2
73.9
72.3
71.7
73.7
72.3
71.1
69.0
69.6
69.0

119.5
119.3
119.3
119.3
119.6
119.7
119.5
119.4
119.5
119.9
120.4
120.6

116.5
116.5
116-4
115.3
115.0
115.0
115.8
116.6
117.5
118.4
118.9
119.3

125.7
125.9
125-0
129.9
132.9
136.1
134.4
127.3
124.6
124.8
126.2
126.3

110.2
109.2
108.4
108.0
107.2
107.5
107.7
107.8
108.0
109.5
110.5
111.2

129.9
130.7
129.3
137.2
142.0
147.0
144.2
132.7
128.2
128.1
129.9
129.6

113.0
112.0
112.1
112.3
112.5
112.7
112.9
113.2
113.3
113.8
114.4
115.0

122.7
123.3
122.8
122.9
122.7
122.5
122.6
122.4
122.1
122.5
123.2
124.7

104-5
102.9
103.4
106.1
104.9
104.5
104.8
106.5
109.3
112.0
111.6
111.6

161.7
160.9
160.8
161.7
162.2
162.6
163.3
161.2
160.7
161.5
161.7
161.4

73.9
77.5
77.3
77.6
77.2
77.1
77.6
73.1
78.7
78.6
79.3
79.7

121.3
121.1
121.2
121.0
120.9
120.8
121.0
122.0
122.7
121.8
120.0
119.4

72.7
63.5
70.4
79.3
75.1
73.2
73.6
30.1
39.8
99.6
93.7
93.4

Historical monthly indexes since 1947 may be found in Retail Prices of Food Bulls. 1133, 1217, and 1254.
January 1953=100.
December 1952=100.




Other foods at home
Sugar
1 Fats
and
and
sweets
o ils

Fruits and vegetables
Pork

Total

Eggs

Table 5.

Indexes of Retail Prices of Food by Commodity Group, by City for 20 Large Cities, by Year and Month, 1959 and i960

£ 1947-49=100_7
Year
and
Month

United
States
1/

At­ Balti­
lanta, more,
Ga.
Md.

Boston,
Mass.

Cin­
Chi­ cin­
cago, nati,
111. Ohio

Cleve­ De­
land, t r o it,
Ohio Mich.

Houston,
Texas

Kansas
City,
Mo.

Los
Angeles,
C alif.

Minne­ New
Philaapolis, York, * delphia,
Minn.2 / N. Y.2/ Pa.

Pitts­
burgh,
Pa.

Port­
land,
Qreg.

San
St.
Fran­
Louis, cisco ,
Mo. C alif.

Scran­
ton,
Pa.

WaslvSeattle, ington,
Wash.
D. C.

A11 Foods
1959: AverageJanuary---February—
March------April------May----------June--------July--------August-----SeptemberOctober---November—
December—

118.3
119.0
118.2
117.7
117.6
117.7
118.9
119.4118.3
118.7
118.4.
117.9
117.8

115.7
H6.2
115.5
11A.9
115.7
115.6
117.1
117.0
116. A
116.5
115.3
HA. 3
HA.2

118.0
118.8
117. A
117.2
H 7.3
117.0
118.6
119. A
118.3
H 8.8
118.1
H 7,8
117.A

118.7
H 8.7
118.8
118.3
H 7.3
117.5
H8.A
118.9
H 9.0
119.8
119.6
H9.A
118.3

115.8
115.7
115.2
115. A
115.2
H5.2
116. A
H7.1
116.1
116.8
H6.2
115.3
11A.6

118.8
120.2
119.1
117.8
118.1
117.7
119.3
119.9
H 8.2
119.2
119.0
118. A
118.2

11A.1
115.1
HA. 3
11A. 2
11A. 3
11A.1
HA. 6
11A. 6
113.8
11A. 2
113.5
113.1
113. A

117.5
118.6
117.7
117.0
117.2
116.9
118.7
118.0
H 6.8
H 8.1
118.1
116.9
116.3

HA. 7
H 6.4
H 6.0
115.6
114.7
114.6
HA. A
HA. 9
114.4
11A. 1
H 4.1
113.9
113.5

112.2
H3.A
112.1
111.6
111.6
111.5 '
113.1
112.9
H2.A
112.6
111.9
111.3
111. A

123.5
12A. 1
123.8
123. A
123.1
122.9
123.6
123.3
122.7
123.7
124.0
123.6
123.6

4/'118.0
118.3
117.7

1960: AverageJanuary---February—
March------April------May----------June--------July--------August-----SeptemberOctober---November—
December—

119.7
117.6
117.4117.7
119.5
119.7
120.3
120.6
120.1
120.2
120.9
121.1
121. A

H 7.0
11A.5
11A. 1
H 5.0
116.8
116.8
H 7.6
H7.A
118.1
118.2
118.7
118.7
118.2

119.8
116.2
116.7
118.2
119.7
120.5
121.2
121.2
120.7
120.1
121.0
120.7
121.2

H9.A
117.A
117.7
118.3
119.2
H 8.6
119.0
120.A
H 9.9
120. A
120.3
120.5
121.0

117.5
115.2
11A. A
115.1
116.7
117.2
118.8
119.3
118. A
H 8.1
118.6
118.7
119.1

120.5
117.7
117.8
H 7.3
120.A
120.A
121.5
121.9
120.8
121.3
122.6
121.9
122.2

115.8
113.1
112.9
113. A
115.8
116. A
117.1
117.0
116.7
116.2
117.0
117.1
116.8

118.7
H 5.8
115.7
116.5
119.1
119.0
120.0
120.6
120.0
H 8.9
119.6
119. A
120.1

115.0
113.6
113.3
H 3.0
H A.8
11A. A
114.8
H 5.6
115.8
115.8
116.2
116.5
116.2

112.9
111.3
110. A
110.7
112. A
112.7
11A. 0
H 3.9
112.9
113.1
113.9
114.5
114.8

126.1
125.2
123.7
12A. A
126.8
126.1
126.4
126.6
125.5
126.5
127.0
127.3
128.1

118.1
117.5
113.8
119.2
117.5
118.0
117.8
117.9
117.3

120.3
120.7
119.9
119.3
119.5
119.2
120.0
122. A
120.0
120.9
120.A
120.7
120.8

120.9
121.7
120.8
120. A
120.2
119.3
121.3
121.9
120.9
122.0
121.A
120.6
120.1

119.8
120.6
119.8
118.8
118.7
119. A
120.8
120.5
119.5
120.7
120.1
119.6
119.1

120.7
120.9
120.3
H9.A
119.2
120.0
121.8
121.6
121.2
121.2
121.1
120.7
121.0

118.7
120.2
119.2
118.7
H 8.7
118.7
119.7
119.1
117.8
118.7
113.3
117.7
H 7.6

122.6
123.0
122.7
122.8
122.2
122.3
123.0
122.2
122.0
122.8
122.9
122.3
123.1

115.A
H 6.4
115.8
114.8
HA. A
114.8
116.6
117.3
115.1
H 6.4
H5.3
HA.3
113.9

120.8
121.1
119.9
119.6
120.2
120.7
121.6
121. A
120.8
120.8
121.1
120.8
121.1

119.0
120.1
118.3
118.9
118.5
H8.5
119.5
120.5
H 8.9
119.5
H8.5
113.0
H 8.1

118. A
H 7.0
116.5
116.6
118.6
118.1
119.3
118.9
118.7
118.6
119.7
119.2
119.7

122.0
120.5
120.8
120.7
121. A
121.8
121.8
121.9
122.5
122.5
123.2
123.6
122.8

122.1
119.5
119.1
120.0
121.2
121.7
122.6
123.1
123.0
123.1
12A. 0
123.9
123.9

121.2
118.7
118.6
118.A
121.0
122.2
122.1
123.1
121.0
121.9
122.6
122. A
122.2

121.0
121.2
120.2
120.0
121.2
120. A
121.3
121.7
120. A
121.1
121.3
121. A
122.2

119.0
116.2
117.5
116.7
118.0
118.5
119.6
119.9
119.6
H 8.9
120.2
120.7
121.8

124.4
123.6
122.2
122.7
124.6
12A. 3
124.2
124.7
12A. 0
125.2
125.0
125.5
126.2

H5.5
113.5
H 3.0
113.9
115.5
115.8
116.5
115.7
H A.8
H 5.9
117.0
117.0
117.A

122.7
121. A
121.0
120.9
122.8
122.6
122.6
123.0
123.1
123.2
123.3
123. A
124.6

120.0
117.3
117.2
117.9
119.5
120.A
120.9
120.9
120.1
120.8
121.6
121.2
121.7

118.9
120.3
119.8
119.2
113.7
118.2
118.9
113.4
117.3
119.0
119.2
113.8
118.9

4/H 4.9
115.5
11A. 7
115.0
114.3
115.9
116.3
114.2
HA. 7
114.5
11A. A
114.0

117. A
118.6
117.6
116.9
116.3
116.4
117. A
119.6
116.5
117.6
117.0
116.9
H7.1

118.0
119.2
118.1
117.6
117.3
116.2
118. A
119.1
117.9
119.1
113. A
117.5
116.9

118.1
119.4
118.5
117.A
116.9
117.6
119.2
113.9
117.7
113.9
113.3
117.3
117.1

118.0
119. A
113. A
117. A
116.9
117.7
118.3
113. A
117.9
117.3
118.0
117.6
117.9

113.9
115.8
11A. 7
11A. 0
114.0
113.9
115.1
11A. 2
112.7
L13.3
113.2
112.5
112. A

120. A
121.A
121.1
120.9
120.1
120.0
121.0
120.0
119.6
120. A
120. A
119.6
120.2

114.4
116.0
115.3
11A. 2
113.7
113.9
115.7
116.2
113.7
115.0
113.8
112.6
112.1

118.8
H 9.8
118.3
117.9
118. A
118.3
119.8
119.5
118.5
118.5
118.7
113.3
118.6

116.4
118.0
116.3
116.3
115.3
115.3
116.9
118.2
116.3
117.0
115.3
115.1
115.2

120.5
120.7
113.9
119. A
121.0
120.0
120.5
120.7
H 9.4
120.6
121.1
121.5
122.A

115.1
113.5
112.9
113.0
115.5
11A. 9
116.2
115.7
115.2
115.1
116.6
116.1
116.6

118.2
116.6
117.0
H 6.3
H 7.6
118.1
118.0
113.1
113.3
113.9
119.7
120.1
119.2

113.7
116.1
115.6
116.6
113.0
H 8.5
119.5
119.7
119.7
119.5
120.6
120. A
120.3

119. A
116.6
116.5
116.2
119.2
120.7
120. A
121.5
119.1
120.1
121.0
120.7
120.5

113.1
118.1
117.1
H 6.9
113.2
117.3
H 8.5
119.0
117.5
113.2
118. A
H 8.7
119,3

11A. 0
110.6
112.2
111.3
112.3
H 3.4
HA. 8
115.1
11A. 7
113.9
H 5.3
H 6.0
117.3

121.3
120.6
H 3.3
119.5
121.6
121.3
121.2
121.7
120.9
122.0
121.9
122.5
123.3

113.3
111.7
H lo l
112.2
113.9
114.3
H A.9
11A. 0
112.8
11A. 2
115. A
115. A
115.9

120.0
119.0
118.3
113.1
120.3
120.1
120.1
120. A
120. A
120.4
120.6
120.3
121.9

117. A
114.4
114.1
H 5.0
116.9
H7.9
H3.5
113.7
117.6
113.3
119.3
118.8
119.2

(5/)

Foods at Home
1959: AverageJanuary---February—
March-------April---- —
May----------June—-----July--------August-----SeptemberOctobei*—November—
December—

115.9
117.1
116.1
115.5
115.3
115.2
116.6
117.1
115.7
116.2
115.8
115.1
115.0

114.0
115.1
213.9
H3.A
11A. 1
113.8
115. A
115.2
11A. 5
11A. 8
113.5
111.9
111.9

HA. 5
115.9
11A. 1
113.9
113.9
113.6
115.3
116.0
11A.6
115.1
11A. 3
113.8
113.3

115.5
116.0
115.9
115.1
113.9
11A. 2
115.2
115.7
115.7
116.3
116. A
116.2
11A. 9

113.1
113.2
112.6
112.7
112.5
112.5
113.3
11A.A
113.3
11A. 1
113. A
112.5
111.6

116.0
117.9
116.5
115.0
115.A
11A. 8
116.7
117.3
115.3
H 6.5
116.3
115.6
115.1

I960: AverageJanuary---February—
March------April------May----------June------- July--------August-----SeptemberOctober---November—
December—

116.9
11A. 7
11A. A
HA. 7
116.7
H 7.0
117.7
117.9
117. A
117. A
118.2
118. A
118.7

115.0
111.9
111.6
112.6
11A. 6
1H . 7
115.8
115.5
116.3
116.5
117.2
117.1
116.5

115.7
111.9
112. A
113.9
115.6
116.7
117.3
117.3
116.6
115.9
117.0
116.6
H 7.2

116.1
113.3
11A.1
11A. 9
H5.S
115.3
115.6
117.3
116.5
117.2
H 7.1
117. A
117.6

11A.3
112.3
111. A
112.2
11A.0
11A. 6
116.3
116.3
115.8
115.5
116.0
116.1
116.6

117.6
11A.5
11A. A
11A. 6
117.3
117. A
118.6
119.1
117.3
113.A
H 9.3
119.2
119.5

See footnotes at end of table.




111.6
112.9
H I .9
111.7
111.8
111.6
112.1
112.2
111.3
110.9
110.3
110. A

11A. 8
116.4
115.2
114.5
114.7
11A. 3
116.3
115. A
113.9
115.2
115.1
113.3
113.2

112.9
109.8
109.7
110.3
113.1
113.5
HA. A
114.3
113.9
113.1
114.2
114.3
114.0

116.0
112.6
112.5
113.5
116.4
116.4
117.5
118.1
117. A
116.1
117.0
116.9
117. A

111.1

112.5
HA. 8
114.2
113.8
112.7
112.2
112.2
112.3
112.1
111.6
H I. 5
111. A
111.1

111.9
111.1

110.2
109.7
111.5
111.1

111.6
112.7
112.7
112.7
113.0
113.6
113.2

109.2
111.0

109.5
108.8
103.7
108.6
110.5
110.1
109. A
109.6
108.8
107.9
107.9
109.3
107.7
106.3
107.3
109.3
109.8
H I.A
111.1

109.3
110.1
110.9
111.6
111.9

(5/0

Table 5.

Indexes of Retail Prices of Food by Commodity Group, by City for 20 Large Cities, by Year and Month, 1959 and I960— Continued
/l947-49=100

Year
and
Month

United
States
1/

At­ B alti­
lanta, more,
m .
Ga.

Boston
Mass.

Chi­
cago,
111.

Cin­
cin­ Cleve­ De­
nati, land, t r o it ,
Mich.
Ohio Ohio

Houston,
Texas

Kansas
City.
Mo.

J
Minne­
ap olis,
Minn. 2 /

Los
Angeles,
C alif.

New
York,
N.Y.2/

Phila­
delphia,
Pa.

P itts­
burgh,
Pa.

Port­
land,
Oreg.

137.5
139.4
138.8
133.7
133.7
138.2
137.5
137.3
135.1
137.2
136.9
137.0
135.6

132.4
133.2
133.1
133.0
132.9
132.6
132.1
131.7
131.3
131.9
131.9
132.3
132.5

140.2
140.4
140.3
140.3
140.4
140.4
140.1
139.5
139.5
139.9
140.0
140.1
141.1

123.6
125.0
125.0
124.3
124.5
124.7
125.0
124.3
124.5
122.2
123.0
120.0
120.2

St.
Louis
Mo.

San
Fran.
cisoo,

Scran­
ton,
Pa.

Seattle,
Wash.

Waslv*
ington,
D.C.

148.0
147.3
147.2
147.3
147.2
147.0
147.0
147.1
147.2
147.2
149.5
150.9
150.9

134.1
135.6
135.6
136.0
135.9
135.9
135.5
132.4
132.1
132.3
132.3
132.2
132.8

146.4
146.1
145.5
145.6
146.7
146.3
146.5
146.4
146.5
146.6
146.7
146.6
147.0

131.5
132.2
132.1
132.0
132.2
132.1
131.1
131.0
131.0
130.8
130.9
131.0
131.2

Calif.

Cereals and Bakery Products
1959: AverageJanuary----February—
March--------April--------May-----------June---------July---------August------September—
October----November—
December—

134.2
133.9
133.3
134.1
134.1
134.5
134.2
134.4
134.0
134.1
134.1
134.2
134.5

I960: AverageJanuary----February—
March--------April--------May-----------June------ —
July----------August------September—
October-----November---December—-

136,8
134.8
135.2
135.5
135.8
135.6
136.1
137.5
137.7
137.8
138.5
138.6
139.0

125.2
125.0
125.2
125.3
125.5
126.0
125.4
125.3
125.0

r

132.3
132.5
132.3
132.2
132.4
132.2
132.0
132.4
132.3
132.2
132.0
132.2
132.4

128.7
123.3
123.1
129.6
129.5
130.1
129.8
130.3
130.1
129.8
129.6
129.7
129.5

132.9
133.5
133.3
133.5
133.4
133.3
132.8
133.0
133.1
132.3
132.3
132.1
132.1

128.9
129.2
129.2
129.3
128.9
128.9
129.2
128.6
128.3
128.9
128.7
128.8
129.1

124.8
125.3
125.1
124.8
125.2
124.6
124.4
124.6
124.4
125.2
125.3
124.2
124.6

125.4
126.0
126.1
125.8
125.7
125.5
125.7
125.2
125.1
124.9
124.6
125.0
125.3

127.2
127.5
127.4
127.2
127.2
127.4
127.3
127.2
127.0
126.9
126.9
127.0
127.6

146.1
144.9
145.9
146.0
146.1
146.2
146.2
146.2
146.1
146.1
146.3
146.1
146.8

4/134.5
134.5
134.3

124.7
124.8
125.2

128.5
128.7
128.3
128.3
128.6
128.3
128.5
128.6
128.7
128.1
128.4
128.5
128.2

134.5
134.6
134.3
134.2
134.2
134.3
134.6
134.7
134.8

142.2
142.4
142.5
142.4
141.6
142.5
142.1
143.9
141.8
142.2
141.4
141.9
141.3

126.0
125.4
125.9
126.4
126.3
125.2
126.0
126.5
126.1
126.0
126.1
126.1
126.3

133.7
128.5
128.3
132.9
133.4
133.1
134.6
135.3
135.3
135.4
135.6
135.7
135.4

133.2
131.5
132.0
132.6
133.4
133.1
129.2
133.7
132.3
134.4
134.3
135.5
135.1

131.0
130.2
128.8
130.4
130.5
131.0
131.2
131.4
131.3
130.8
132.2
131.9
132.1

135.8
132.4
133.5
135.4
135.8
135.9
136.0
136.1
136.1
136.2

130.3
129.4
128.3
128.2
128.5
128.1
128.7
130.8
131.2
132.1
132.5
132.7
132.7

127.2
124.8
124.9
124.8
125.1
125.2
128.7
128.8
128.7
128.2
128.5
129.0
129.7

127.0
125.8
125.6
125.8
126.1
125.6
125.5
127.5
128.2
128.6
128.1
128.7
128.5

130.8
127.5
128.0
128.2
129.4
130.2
130.3
131.2
132.1
131.1
131.9
133.8
135.9

149.0
146.9
146.8
147.3
147.3
147.6
148.0
148.2
148.4
148.6
152.8
153.1
152.7

134.7
134.8
134.9
135.0
135.0
134.8
134.9
134.5
134.5
134.5
134.6
134.7
134.6

145.0
141.3
142.1
142.0
141.9
142.1
142.6
146.7
147.8
148.1
148.4
148.2
148.6

133.0
135.8
136.4
136.3
136.7
136.8
137.5
138.9
139.3
140.0
140.1
139.7
138.6

135.7
132.6
133.4
133.7
133.9
133.7
134.3
137.0
137.2
138.1
138.4
137.8
138.2

141.2
141.3
141.4
140.9
141.3
140.7
140.8
141.1
141.3
141.6
141.3
141.4
141.4

124.5
120.6
124.2
123.0
123.1
122.4
124.8
126.0
125.3
125.9
126.0
126.0
126.0

151.6
151.0
151.1
151.3
151.4
151.1
151.2
151.9
151.6
150.8
152.5
152.6
152.7

134.5
132.8
133.1
133.2
134.0
134.2
134.5
134.3
134.3
135.9
135.7
136.5
135.5

148.6
147.6
147.7
147.9
148.2
148.1
147.6
143.2
148.2
148.2
150.4
150.5
150.4

134.8
129.9
130.7
131.8
132.9
133.0
132.4
136.1
136.1
138.3
138.5
138.9
139.0

113.1
116.2
115.1
114.8
113.8
114.4
113.5
115.6
110.6

112.2
115.6
113.9
112.4
113.8
111.8
113.2
113.1
111.7

110.5
113.7
112.5
110.5
110.6
110.9

111.0

115.3
117.9
117.0
115.8
116.2
116.8
117.4
116.3
115.8

109.1
108.5
107.2

113.9
114.9
113.5
112.4
113.7
114.2
115.5
115.4
114.5
114.9
113.9
112.3

108.8

110.4
109.5
103.4

105.5
110.0
108.0
106.8
106.4
105.8
106.7
104.8
103.7
105.3
103.5
102.4
103.1

110.3
114.6
113.6
111.4
112.6
111.9

112.6

114.4
118.4
116.4
114.9
114.4
114.7
114.4
115.3
114.2
114.0
112.9
111.9
110.9

110.0
115.2
112.6
112.6
112.2
110.5
109.7
111.7
108.4
108.9
106.3
106.1
105.9

110.5
108.7
107.1
109.8
110.5
111.3

110.1

110.4
109.6
108.2

104.7
100.7

115.2
112.4
111.7
111.7
115.5
115.6
116.9
117.2
117.8
116.7

108.2
104.. 7
104.5
105.3
107.7
108.1
109.3

114.9
115.0

110.0
110.8

124.8

136.3

137.1
139.2

(5/>

Meats, Poultry, and Fish
1959:

Average-^ 110.7
113.8
112.6
111.3
111.5
111.6
111.6
112.0
109.9
110.4
109.0
107.9

January---

February---March--------April--------May-----------June----------July----------August—- —
September—
October-----November—
December---I960: AverageJanuary-----February---March--------April--------May--------- —
June----------July----------August-------September—
October-----November---December—

106.6

109.3
106.4
106.2
107.2
109.3
109.7
110.3

112.6
115.9
113.8
113.0
114.5
113.3
114.0
113.8
112.7
112.9
110.5
108.2
107.8

110.1
113.0
110.9
110.8
111.8
110.3
111.5
111.2
110.4
110.0
107.7

111.9
107.0
107.3
108.4
111.9
112.3

109.0
105.3
105.7
106.8
108.6

106.8
106.2

110.0
114.0 109.3
110.8 113.2 110.8
111.3 115.0 109.9
110.2 112.4 109.4
110.0 113.6 110.8
109.9
110.5


http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ See footmotes
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

113.9
113.9

109.9
111.4

at end of table.

112.3
115.4
114.9
113.4
112.7
112.9
112.7
112.8
112.5
113.3
112.4
111.7
109.1

103.6
105.6
105.2
104.3
104.8
104.6
104.9
105.1
103.7
104.3
102.5

110.1

97.4

109.0
107.2

100.2

110.1 103.0
107.5
107.5
108.6
109.0
109.5

110.2
111.2
111.3
111.8
110.4
112.5

112.2

93.7
99.3
101.3

103.2
103.4
104.1
104.3
104.7
103.7
104.0
104.0
105.5

110.5
112.4
111.1

110.0
110.6
110.6
111.3
112.1
109.6
111.6

110.9

105.8
106.2

107.5
110.7
110.4
112.7

112.8
112.9
113.0
113.4
112.7
113.0

103.9
107.3
106.1
104.3
105.6
105.7
105.3
104.9
102.3
103.9
101.5
100.3

106.3
109.0
108.1
107.0
107.6
108.0
107.7
107.2
105.6
106.9
104.5
103.1

100.1 101.0
104.5
99.6
100.4
101.3
104.6
105.1
106.8
106.5
106.7
106.1
106.3
104.7
105.6

104.3

101.1
101.0
102.1
104.8
103.8
105.4
105.8
106.4
105.7

105.2
104.9
105.6

105.7
109.5
108.5
107.7
106.7
106.9
106.4
107.1
105.1
104.4

102.8
102.3
100.7

103.2
101.4
100.3

100.8
103.2
104.1
104.6

105.0

105.5
104.9
103.3

104.4
108.8
106.2
104.7
105.3
106.3
105.5
105.4
103.9
104.1
101.7
101. o
99.5
102.5
99.1
99.7

101.1
103.1
103.1
104.5
104.1
103.5

103.2

103.0
102.6
102.1

102.4

103.5

111.5
115.2
112.9
110.8
111.1

112.1
112.0
112.0
110.9

110.6
109.8
110.1
110.4

109.8
109.2
107.2
108.6
110.9
110.5

112.0

110.5
111.3

110.8

109.1
108.4

109.6

i/1 0 6.5
108.6
107.4
(£ /)
107.6
107.6
107.5
107.1
106.0
106.5
105.4
104.7
103.3

112.0
111.1
110.8

104.0
102.2

111.9
110.9

101.4
102.7
104.3
104.4
104.9
105.1
105.5

111.1

105.2

104.3
103.9
104.5

112.3
112.7
113.2

112.0
112.8
112.6
111.9
111.3

111,2
110.9

111.8
112.8

112.9
110.4
109.4

110.2
111.0

111.0
111.1

109.9

106.8
107.4
107.2
109.3
110.9
110.5

112.4
112.1

111.7
111.3
110.7
110.4

109.2
111.2

110.4
111.9
112.7
111.9
110.7
109.7
109.4

110.0

102.2
101.3
104.9
105.4
106.2

105.6

106.7
104.9
104.9
106.0
107.1

114.8
114.6

113.3
113.6

116.8

111.1
111.1

108.7
110.4
108.7
105.5
104.4

110.1

108.6
109.2
109.5

111.6
112.5

110.8
109.3
109.3

112.1
112.3
113.4
114.1
115.4
114.1

113.0

112.3
113.5

107.6
105.4

105.6
106.1
106.4

109.0

103.6
108.3
108.8
107.3
108.1
107.7

110.0

Table 5.

Indexes of Retail Prices of Food by Commodity Group, by City for 20 Large Cities, by Year and Month, 1959 and 1960— Continued

</l9b7-b9-lO^

Year
and
Month

United At­
States lanta,
Ga.
1/

Balti­
more,
Md.

Boston,
Mass.

Chi­
cago,
111.

Cin­
cin­
nati,
Ohio

Cleve­
land,
Ohio

De­
t r o it ,
Mich.

Houston,
Texas

Kansas
City,
Mo.

Los
Angeles,
C alif.

Minne­
apolis ,
Minn .2 /

Phila­
New
delphia,
York,
Pa.
N.Y. 2 /

P itts­
burgh,
Pa.

Port­
land,
Oreg.

117.8

118.8
118.6
119.5
121.9
122.1
122.8

116.3
117.1
117.2
117.2
llb .5
llb .b
llb .5
llb .b
lib . 6
117.8
117.9
118.1
118. b

119.3
117.b
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.2
119.9
120,5
120.5
120.9
120.9
120.9
121.2

118.6

117.U
117.6
117.9
117.6
117.8
117.7
117.8
118.3
119.6
120.3
120.6
121.0

122.3
121.3
121.3
121.6
121.5
120.8
121.3
122.5
122.0
122.6

St.
Louis,
Mo.

San
Fran­
cisco ,
C alif.

Scran­
ton,
Pa.

Seattle,
Wash.

Wash­
ington,
D. C.

Dairy Products

1959: Average- llb .3
January---- l l b . l
February— llb.O
March—- — 113.8
A pril------- 112.9
May---------- 112.6
June--------- 112.3
July--------- 113.3
August—— l l b . l
September- 115.5
October—- 116.1
November— 116.0
December— 116.7

113.0
lib .0
113.7
llb.O
113.8
113.8
113.8
113.8
113.8
111.6
112.2
110. b
110.6

117.1
117.2
117.1
117.2
116.9
117.1
117.1
117.0
116.7
116.9
117.0
117.1
117.5

112.9
115.7
115.7
115.6
110.9
109.5

I960: Average- 116.8
January—
116.5
February— 116.5
March------ 116.U
A pril------- 115.3
May---------- 115.0
June—— - 115.0
July—----- 115.8
August----- 116.6
September- 117.5
October---- llR.lt
November— 118.9
December— 119.3

116 . b

116.5
lib . 6
116.9
116.8

116.8

112.5
115.1
llb .l
113.0
107.6
107 .b
107.7
110.3
112.1
l"15.2
115.7
115.9

116.9

116.1

113.6
113.6
116.3
116.3
116.5
ll6 .b
116.7
116.8

116.8
117.2
118.1
118.1

116.6

116,7
116.7
116.6
116 . b
116.6

116.6

108.6

105.8
108.7
115.9
115.9
116.0
ll6 .b

115.6

109.8
110 .b
112.8 ll6 .b 110.3
113.3 112.5 HO.b
113.b 112.b 110.3
113.3 112.0 110.2
113.2 112.0 106.7
116.b 112.0 107.0
117.5 112.1 109.9
118.b 112.1 110.3
118.b 115.7 llO .b
118.5 117.3 110.5
118.8 117.8 110.9

109.9
111.5
109.0
108. b

117.6
117.6
117.2
117 .b
117.3
117 .b
117.5
117.6

lib . 7
111.1
112.6
112.8
113.0
113.0
112.5
112.5
ll5 .b
117.2
118.0
118.7
119.5

112.8

121,b
121.2
120.6
120,3
120.3
120.2
120.U
121.9
121.7
122.3
122.b
122.8
123.0

llb .l

116. b

116.8

116.9
118.1
118.6
118.8

110.0
110.2
110.b
110.5
110.2
110.1
110.1
li o .o
110.1
109.2
109.7
110.0
109.9

108.1

107.6
107.7
107.5
110.6
112.b
112.8
111.8
111.9

113.b
111.7
113.7
113.7
113.5
113.2
113.2
113.3
113.6
113.8
113.7
113.5
113.9
lib . 8
113.6
115.9
115.9
115.8
115.6
112.1
112 ,b
lib . 9
115.1
115.5
116.2

lib . 5

109.3

111.7

108.1

110.0
110.5

107.9
108.0
107.9
107.9
107.8
107.8
110.7
111.2
111.3
111.5
111.8
110.8
111.8
108.5
108.6
108.b

110.7
111.2
111.3
111. 2
111.5
111.7
112.6
112.6

110.8
110.9
111.1
110.9
111.0
lll.b
113.b
113.b
113.5
113.5
lib .8
lib . 8
115.0
115.0
113.6
113.2
113.9
llb .l
113.9
115.6
116.0
116.2

ll6 ,b

1
4 / 106.3

10b. 7
10b .7
(1 /)
10b. 8
10b. 7
10b.6
105.6

118.2
118.0

119.1
113.9
119.0
118 .u
116.2

108.2
108 ,b
108.5
109.0

117.7
115.1
llb.O
llb.O
116.9
117.6
119.2
120.7
120.9
121.6

108.7
108.0
107.8
107.6
107.6
107.5
107.5
107.0
109.7
110.3
109.9
110.2
110.7

119.6
121. b
121.1
119.7
117.2
115.5
115.2
117.5
119.0
120.3
122.b
122.6
122.8

121.2
121.1
121.0
121.1
118.1
118. b
118.b
120.8
120.6
121.0
12b.2
12b.8
125.1

120.6
118.5

126.6
121.5
123.3
122.3
123.5
12b.3
135.7
132.2
128.6
128.7
130.0
12b. 9
125.8

126.3
121.9
120 .b
118. b
121.3
129.3
139.5
133.3
128.1

129.7
125.1
126.b
125.b
129.9
13b.6
139.2
133.3

127.6
12ii.l
123.7
121.2
132.6
139.0
138.8
138.8
122.3
122.6
122.?
123.0
122.5

106.2

116.2
116.2

117.0

112.1

116.8

118.9
118.9
119.1

113.U
113.3
113.2
110.5
110. b
110.3
110.3
110.3
113.5
113.3
113.b
113.6

105.2
119 .U
103.5
119.3
103.7
118.9
103.b 120. b
101.0
117.8
101.b
117.5
10b. 5
117.1
I0b.2 . 117.7
105.9
117.7
120.7
106.3
123.2 106.7
120.7
12b.8 110.6
121.7
12b.6 110.9
123.3

106.2

105.5
105.6
105.8
105.6
105.7
105.9
106.5
106.3

107.3
107.3
107.5
10b.9

116.9
116.9
ll5 .b
115.U
115.5
115.5
115.6
118.8

117.0
115.U
ll5 .b
115.b
117.3
117.1
117.3
117.5
118.1
118.3
118.b
118.3

118.3
118 .b
117.6
117.7
117.5
117.5
117.2
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.5
118.5
121.1

111.8
113.1
112.7
112.8
109.6
109.9
109.9
109.9
109.9
112.9
113.b
113.6
113.7

120.0
118.2
118.3
119.8
IIP .8
119.7
119.6
119.9
119.9
119.8
120.1
120.5
12b. 3

121.3
120.5
120.9
119.9
120.6
120.2
120.1
122,7
121.6
121.7
122.b
122.1
122.5

120.0
113.8
115.7
113.3
115.1
121.3
13b.9
132.9
121.2
119.b
119.3
116.6
116.5

127.2
129.0
126.2
126.b
128.b
130.2
13b.3
130.1
123.0
121.3
123.b
125.3
129.0

123.1
118 .b
116.5
117.5
119.2
123.3
133.1
130.0
12b.6
125.b
125.b
121.7
122.6

119.7

132.7
132.1
131.0
130.3
136.6
137.3
136.b
135.b
130.2
128.7
130.5
132.b
132.0

12b.6
122.2
120.8
121.6
126.2
130.8
135.5
131.5

116.0

Fruits and Vegetables
1?59: AverageJanuary---February—
March—---A p ril------May—------June--------July———
August----SeptemberOctober---November—
December-

125.1
121.7
121.2
120.7
123.6
125.6
13b.5
130. B
125.6
12b.l
12b.5
123 . b
125.5

128 .b
12b. 2
121.6
121.8
125.7
127.7
138.9
13b. 6
131.9
132.1
129.5
125.9
127.3

1960: AverageJanuary---February—
March-----A pril— —
May---------June—-----July--------August-----SeptemberOctober-—
November—
December—

128.3
125.7
125.9
125.0
129.9
132.9
136.1
13)4.>4
127.3
12b. 6
12b. 8
126.2
126.3

130.2
126.5
127.1
125.9
127.9
131.3
13b .1
13b. 7
13b.1
135.1
130.7
129,7
125.3

120.b
116.8

lib .3
113.6
116.6

120.2
127.7
127.7
121„b
122.1
121.9
120.8
121.1
123.5
118.7
120.1
121.5
123.2

129.7
135.2
131.5
126.3
119.L
119.9
117.6
119.3

See footn otes at end of table.




123.9
117.b
119.1
117.2
117.8
122.8
132.2
130.8
128.2
12b.3
125.8
125.7
125.2

122.b
120.2
119.6
119.1
123 .0
122.2
130.7
126.9
122.3
121.2
121.5
121.0
123.3

126.3
12b.0
121.6
120.1
12b.1
125.6
136.2
133.b
126.2
127.5
126.9
123.9
125.7

117 .b
112.3
lll.b
llb .b
115. b
118.7
125.9
123.7
119.2
116.9
116.6
116.2
118.3

128.8
32b.2
127.7
128.1
132.5
132.1
137.3
138.7
128.5
12b. 3
123.b
123.b
125.b

125.2
123.5
121.3
119.3
123.9
125.9
135.3
135.9
127.9
12b. 2
121.3

127.9
125.3
125.2
123.0
128.0
130.7
13b.1
135.3
126.9
126.5
127.6
125.7
126.9

122.b
117.2
118.b

121.5

122.1

132.5
129.6
129.8

129.6
133.8
13b.3
lb6.6
13^.5
129.0
127.0
130.8
129.6
131.ii

136.2
131.0
131.5
118.8
13b. 3
125.0
lb l.7
128.7
Ibb.b
130.5 i lb 6.7
129.1
lb ?. 7
123.0
13c .b

116.8

13.8.8
123.1
119.7

127.6

128.8
12R.5
130.5

125.0
12b. 7
12b. 8
12b. 8
125.8

12b.3
126.0
1 Z ( .9
12b. 8
123.6

12b.6
12b.7
125.5
12b. 9
125.3
123.1
I I 8.0
12b. b
120.3
126,b
130.0
126. b
12b.1
12b. 6
127.1
327.6

116.0

113.6
112.3
112.8
115.5
115.1
127.2
121.8
116.7
lib . 8
115.7
112.1
lib .6
117.5
115.6
lib . 7
lib . 6
118 .b
119.8
123.9
123.1
135.9
lib . 6
115.7
116.9
116.6

132.5
131.9
132.7
133.b
133.7
131.3
136.0
130.8
127.3
132.0
133.1
133.5
13b.3

l/l2 9 .6
125.0
125.9
(5/)
132.2
129.6
lb l.5
137.6
127.0
123.5
126.5
127.6
129.3

113.3
120.6
120.9
128.1
126.2
120.0
119.2
119.1
119.3
123.8

13°. b
lb3.0
137.7
138.3
lb3.9
13?.2
139.1
lb3.3
133.b
135.9
137.3
lb o .0
lb l.8

132.9
130.b
133.0
12 Q.6
135.1
133.9
lb l.8
lbO.b
131.3
126.3
132.3
130.8
133.3

123.R
119.3
123.3
123.0
122.b
128.7
131.7
125.7
125.0
121.7
121.1
12b.b
121.0

117.8

120,8

128.0
129.9
127.8
126.8

126.6

127.5
125.2
12b.6

119.9
120.1
119.3
118.9
119.2
123.b
125.6
121.3
117,3
115.1
117.9
118.5
121.7

130.7
127.b
127.3
127.0
132.1
133.8
lb0.3
13b.0
128.7
128.1
129.2
129.b
131.b

130.0
131.6
132.3
133 .b
137.9
131.1
126.2
130.5
128.8

123.8
125.0
12b.2
122.8
126.3
12b. 5
128.0
126.5
118.9
120.5
120.8
12ii.O

132.8
128.9
132.1
129.5
133.0
135.5
137.8
lb o .l
133.7
128.0
130.6
130.3
13b.6

13b.6
13b. 6
131.3
132.8
138.7
139.1
137.1
137.3
128.9
132.0
130.b
136.5
135.9

123.6

131.1
129.6

129.2

132.5

116. h
116. b
120.5
123.5
129.5
130.9
123.9
lib .9
113.b
115.3
lib . 9
117.2

121.0
123.1

122.7
121.2
118.5

Table 5.

Indexes of Retail Prices of Food by Commodity Group,by City for 20 Large Cities, by Year and Month, 1959 and i960— Continued

J9U7-U9=1007

United
States

Year
and
Month

y

At­
lanta,
Ga.

B alti­
more,
Md.

Boston,
Mass.

Chiccago,
111 .

Cin­
cin­
nati ,
Ohio

Cleve­
land,
Ohio

De­
t r o it ,
Mich.

Houston,
Texas

Kansas
City,
Mo.

Los
Angeles,
C alif.

New
Phila­
Minne­
delphia,
apolis, York,
Pa.
Minn, g / N .Y .2/

P itts­
burgh,
Pa.

Port­
land,
Oreg.

108.7
110.9
109.8
107.8
106.3

St.
Louis,
Mo.

San
Fran­
cisco,
C alif.

Scran­
ton,
Pa.

Seattle,
Wash.

Wash­
ington,
D. C.

Other Foods at Home

1959: AverageJanuary—
February—
March------April------May---------June--------J u ly-------August-----SeptemberOctober—November—
December—
I960: AverageJanuary---February—
March------April------May----------June------- July--------August-----September—
October-—
November—
December—

i/
2/
2/
ij

2/




106.1
100.9
108.1

107.3
loin 7
102.8
102.3
105.7
106.2

107.6
107.0
106 .u
105 .U
106.8
1C) 4.5

102.9
103 .U
106.1

10b.9
lob .5
loin 5
106.5
109.3
112.0
111.6
111.6

100 . b
103.2

105.2
109.3

101.9
102.9

102.5
100.8
99.7
97.9
97.3
99.6
100.0
102.0
101.1
100.8
100.1

107.0

102.2

106.5
103.b
101.1
101. b
10b. 6
10b.8
106.9
106.5
106.3
10b. 6

102.3
101.0
99.6
97.9
102.9
103.3
10b. 3
102.7
102.5
I 00.6

107.0
103.2
102.0
10b. 2
107.3
105.6
10b. 5

10)1.0

101.8
9b.5
97.7
98.9
101.5
100.0

99.9
99.2
100.7
103.7
107.1
106.6
106.8

105.0
106.8

109. b
111.7
112.2
111.9

99.9
99.5
101 . b
105.3
103.1
101.5
102,2
105.0
107.5
108.7
107.1
106.5

110.7
lib . 9
113.3
111.9
108.9
107.5
106.5
109.6
109.8
112.6
112.2
111 .6
110.1
111.9
108.9
106.9
107.9
109.8
110.5

109.8
110.1
lll.b
llb .b
117.9
117.9
116.9

108.6

108,3
112.7

llb .l
111.3
110.0

110.3

108.0

108.0

110.8

10b. 8 10b. 8
10b. 3 10b. 2
108.0 107.2
108.1 107. b
110.1 109.5
109.0 109.1
108.5 108.7
107.3 107.1
109.3 108.7
106.7 106.6
3C5.b 10b. 6
105.2 105.b
108.8 108.1
107.3 107.1

106.5
110.3
108. b
107.1
lOb.b
102.7
102.7
1C5.5
105.8
108.9

109.1
107.5
106.1
106.8
10b. 3

106.9

106.8

102.7
103.3
106.7
105.8
105.0

107.9
109.0
111.5
115.6
llb .b
113.1

106.5
109.0
111.5
113.7
112,8
112.n

105.0
106.3
100.2
112.0
111.3
n o .3

103.9
109.2
1C6.8
106.2

102.b
101.6
101.0
102.1
103.1
102.9
103.9
103.9
303.8
103.0
103.1
101.0
100.8
101.5

99.b
103.6

101.9
100.6
97.2
95.9
95.9
98.6
9°.3
101.2
100.2
99.7
99.2

101.5
101. b
103. b
106 . b

100.3
98.2
96.3
96.5
9 ° .l
98.2
99.3
99.0
99 .b
102.2
10b.8

106.6
106.7

10b .b

101.5
101.5

4-^-city average, including 26 medium-size and small citie s not shown separately.
Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Includes New York-Northeastern New Jersey.
11-month average.
Insu fficien t data because of work stoppage in food stores.

106.0

107.6
110.9
110.1
109.3
106.6

105.5
iob.7
106.6

107.9
108.0

108. b
106.9
106.2

107. b
107.0
106.0

105.9
106.2
106 .b
106.2

305.b
106.3

109.0
109.8
110.0
110.9

1
4 / 1I I .9

116.3
lib . 2
(5 /)
110.3
109.0
107.8
112.b
111.8
lib . 2
112.2
112.2
110.b
112.1
109.6
107.7
108.b
112.8
110.6
110.0
108.9
110.6
lib . 2
118.2
117.2
116 .b

10b. 6
. 108.2

115.3

108.5
106.2

106.2

107.7
105.1
102.5
102.3
107.7

105.7
103.1
100.8
100.6
10b. 5
105.2
107.0
10b. b
105.1
103.8

117.5
116.9
llb .b
lll.b
111.0
lib . 8
lib . 7
117.2

106.1

106.8
108.8

106.5
106.1

105.b
106.3
10b.0
102.2
102.9
106.9
10b.b
103.2
103.6

105.9
101.8
100.3
101.8
105.5

106.1

106.6

109.0
112.2
lll.b
110.1

110.1
112.1
111.6
111.0

103.0
102.9

10b.b

118.8

116.2
116.0

115.0

113.1
11 7.b
115.2
lib . 3
111.5
106.1 110.2
105.6 109.3
108.0 112.5
109.9 111.7
110. b l i b . 9
110.6 113.7
109.5 U 3.7
109.3 112.2

116.9

108.3

llb .b
112.6
113.0
115.5
115.0
lib . 2
lib . 5
115.9
119.5

108.8

123.2

122.8
121.9

106.9
106.1
106.6
106.1
106.1

107.3
107.7
110.1
111.6
110.0
111.7

113.b
110.5
111.0
111.1
111.9
111.6
lll.b
lll.b
111.8
11b.6
118.8
117.7
118.5

106.5
109.6
109.0
108 .b
105.3
103.6
103.5
105.8
108.1

107.2
107.6
105.1
10b. 6
105.1
105.9
102 .b
102.6
10b. 3
102.8
102.5
103 .b
105.6
107.7
107.3
106.9
109.2

103.5
107 ,b
10b.6
10b. 3
101 .b
99.0
98.6
10b.0
10b 05
106.7
103.8
10b. 5
103 .b
10b. 3
101.7
99.8
100.5
10b. 7
101.3
101.0
101.1
10b. 2
107 .b
110.6
109.6
109.6

105.1
108.1
106.0

107.7
110.9
108.9

105.5
103.7
102.5
102 ,b
10b .1
105.8
105.9
106.5
105.7
10b. 8

108.1

105.3
105.1
10b.7
103.b
10b.7
103.2
102.6
103.3
105.2
107.9

110.2
105.b
10b.1
106.7
110.1
107.9
107.5
108.3
111.2
113.5

105.6
10b.6
] Ob .0
108.1
108.5
110.1
108 ,b
108.3
106.8

107.6

116.2

107. S
108.3

116.0

115.7

Table 6.

Indexes of Retail Prices of Principal Foods in the United States, by Month,

1959 and 1960

^1947-49=100 unless otherwise indicated/

1959
A r t ic l e o r group

Aver­
age

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

Ju ly

Aug.

O ct.

Nov.

Dec.

A l l food s ---------------------------------------------------Food away from home 1 / ---------------------------Food at h o m e --------------------------------------------C ereals and bakery prod u cts — ----------C erea ls:
F lou r, wheat — -----------------------------B is c u it mix 2 / -------- -— ----- — - - - - Corn meal ----------------------------------------R i c e ------ — --------------------- ----------------R o lle d o a t s ------ -— ------------------------Corn f l a k e s -----------------------------------Bakery p r o d u c ts:
B r e a d ------------------- ----- ------------ — — - Soda cr a c k e rs 2/ ---------------------------V a n illa c o o k ie s -----------------------------Meats, p o u lt r y , and f i s h ------ ------------M e a t s -------- ---------------------------------------Beef and v e a l ------------------------------ —
Round s t e a k ----------------- --------------Chuck r o a s t ---------------------------------Rib r o a s t -------- ------------- — - — - —
Ham burger------ ------------- --------------Veal c u t l e t s - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - P o r k -------------------------------------------------Pork c h o p s ----------------------------------Bacon, s l i c e d ---- --------- Ham, w h o l e ---- ------------------------ ----Lamb, le g ----------------------------------------Other m eats:
F ra n k fu rters 2 / ------ -— ----------—
Luncheon meat, canned 2 / ---------P o u ltr y , fr y in g ch ick en s ----------------F i s h .................................................... .............
F ish , fr e s h o r fr o z e n ------------------Salmon, pin k, canned --------------------Tuna f i s h , canned 2 / -------- --------—
Dairy p r o d u c t s ---------------------— ----------M ilk, fr e s h , (g r o c e r y ) --------------------M ilk, fr e s h , (d e liv e r e d ) ----------------I ce cream 2 / — — - ---- -— - — - — ------B utter -------------------------------------------------Cheese, American p r o ce s s --------— — M ilk, e v a p o r a t e d ------ — ---------- ---------A l l f r u it s and v e g e ta b le s ------ --------—
Frozen f r u i t s and v e g e ta b le s 2 / ---Frozen f r u i t s :
S traw berries 2 / -------------------------Orange j u ic e con cen tra te 2 / —
Frozen v e g e t a b le s :
Peas, green 2 / ------ -------------------Beans, green 2 / ----------------------- Fresh f r u i t s and v e g e ta b le s - - - - - —
Fresh f r u i t s :
Appl6S
B a n a n a s----------------- -— ----------------Oranges, s iz e 200 ---- ----- — -------Lemons 3 / ------------------------------------G ra p efru it, s iz e 6 4 l / ---- --------Peaches 4 / ---------------------------------S tra w berries 6 / --------------- ------ G ra p e s,s e e d le s s 4 / -------- ---------—
Watermelons 9 / -------------------------- Fresh v e g e t a b le s :
P o t a t o e s ----------------- ----------— - - - Sw eetpotatoes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - — O n io n s ---- ----------------C a rrots ----------------------------------------L ettu ce, s iz e 60 -----------------------C elery 1 / ------------------- -----------------C a b b a g e --------------------- -----------------Tomatoes 2 / - ------------------------ ------Beans, green -------- --------Canned f r u i t s and v e g e ta b le s ---------Canned f r u i t s :
Orange j u i c e 2 / -------------------------P e a c h e s ---------------------------------------P in e a p p le -----------------------------------F ru it c o c k t a i l 2 / ---------------------Canned v e g e t a b le s :
Corn, cream s t y le — — --------------Peas, g r e e n --------------- ----------------Tomatoes ------------------------------------- Baby fo o d s 2 / ---------D ried f r u i t s and v e g e ta b le s -----------P r u n e s -------------------------------------------D ried b e a n s -------- ----------- ------— - - -

118.3
115.8
115.9
134.2

119.0
114.0
117.1
133.9

118.2
114.1
116.1
133.8

117.7
114.3
115.5
134.1

117.6
114.8
115.3
134.1

117.7
115.2
115.2
134.5

118.9
115.6
116.6
134.2

119.4
116.2
117.1
134.4

118.3
116.6
115.7
134.0

118.7
116.8
116.2
134.1

118.4
116.9
115.8
134.1

117.9
117.2
115.1
134.2

117.8
117.3
115.0
134.5

112.9
9 6.2
115.3
97.8
138.8
151.6

114.0
9 6.0
114.9
9 8.2
138.2
151.1

113.8
9 5 .8
115.1
9 8 .1
138.4
151.1

113.8
95.9
115.1
9 8.1
138.4
151.1

113.8
9 6.0
115.1
9 8.2
138.4
151.1

113.8
9 6.1
115.2
9 8.3
138.4
151.3

112.8
9 6.4
115.5
9 8.1
138.2
151.5

112.7
9 6.4
115.4
9 8.4
138.5
151.9

112.2
9 6.5
115.4
9 7.9
138.3
151.6

111.8
9 6.5
115.3
97.9
138.3
152.0

111.6
9 6.5
115.3
9 7.2
138.5
152.0

112.0
9 6.3
115.8
96.9
139.2
151.9

113.0
9 6 .3
115.4
9 6.2
143.0
152.0

147.9
113.4
126.3
110.7
116.6
123.2
130.0
115.8
124.1
112.9
153.2
101.8
117.3
91.0
9 5.1
109.2

147.0
113.7
126.2
113.8
120.2
123.0
129.3
116.0
123.8
114.3
149.7
108.7
121.9
9 8.6
103.3
109.6

146.8
113.4
126.3
112.6
118.3
124.0
129.8
118.0
123.5
114.5
153.3
104.4
116.5
9 5.0
9 9 .3
107.4

147.4
113.9
126.4
111.3
116.7
123.5
129.8
117.6
123.2
113.5
151.3
101.4
112.2
9 2.3
9 7.4
107.1

147.6
113.8
126.1
111.5
117.3
123.6
130.5
116.8
124.3
113.1
152.3
102.6
115.4
9 3.6
9 6.5
109.2

148.0
113.6
126.7
111.6
117.7
124.2
130.4
118.4
124.6
113.6
153.9
103.3
117.5
9 4.1
9 5.9
111.0

148.0
113.3
126.5
111.6
118.0
123.9
130.9
116.4
124.3
113.6
154.2
104.3
120.2
9 3.8
96.5
112.1

148.4
113.6
126.5
112.0
118.1
124.5
131.9
116.0
125.4
114.0
155.3
104.1
120.9
9 3.8
9 5 .1
111.7

147.8
113.4
126.4
109.9
115.8
122.5
129.7
113.4
123.8
112.5
154.3
101.0
117.4
9 1.2
9 2.0
108.8

148.1
113.4
126.3
110.4
116.5
122.6
130.6
112.5
124.7
112.4
154.8
102.4
122.4
9 0.3
9 2.6
108.7

148.5
113.0
125.9
109.0
115.1
122.6
129.1
115.0
124.4
112.3
153.9
9 9.4
119.2
86.5
9 1.1
108.6

148.5
113.0
126.2
107.9
113.5
122.2
129.6
114.8
123.9
110.9
153.1
9 6.6
115.2
8 3.2
9 0 .3
108.2

148.6
112.9
126.2
106.6
111.7
121.6
128.8
114.2
123.5
110.5
152.1
9 3.5
108.9
8 0.1
9 1 .1
107.4

105.2
106.2
70.6
119.6
124.8
129.0
9 5.4
114.3
121.0
125.0
9 8.5
9 5 .3
109.4
111.8
125.1
115.2

107.9
109.5
72.1
121.0
126.3
127.8
9 7.5
114.1
120.8
125.1
97.9
9 4.5
109.6
111.4
121.7
119.1

107.2
107.6
7 3.1
120.9
126.9
126.8
9 6.7
114.0
120.9
124.6
9 8 .3
9 4.3
109.5
111.5
121.2
114.6

106.7
107.1
73.2
120.5
126.3
126.7
9 6 .6
113.8
120.7
124.3
9 8.5
9 4.1
109.3
111.6
120.7
113.6

106.5
106.4
71.7
120.8
126.8
127.2
9 6.5
112.9
119.1
122.8
98.5
9 4.1
109.3
111.6
123.6
113.4

105.4
106.1
70.8
119.7
125.0
127.3
9 5.9
112.6
118.6
122.4
9 8 .3
93.8
109.3
111.5
125.6
112.6

105.1
105.9
69.6
119.6
124.8
127.7
9 6.0
112.3
118.1
122.0
9 8.4
9 3.8
109.3
111.6
134.5
113.9

105.2
105.8
71.2
119.5
124.2
128.0
9 6 .3
113.3
119.6
123.7
9 8.5
9 3.9
109.7
111.7
130.8
115.6

104.4
105.4
6 9.8
118.9
123.5
128.4
9 5 .6
114.1
120.9
125.1
9 8.8
9 4.0
109.2
111.6
125.6
116.3

104.4
105.3
70.0
118.4
123.0
129.6
9 4.3
115.5
122.6
126.9
99.0
97.0
109.2
111.7
124.1
116.7

104.1
105.0
6 8.2
118.3
123.2
131.6
92.7
116.1
123.3
127.8
9 8.9
9 7.3
109.4
111.7
124.5
116.4

103.3
104.9
68.5
118.8
123.6
132.7
9 3.0
116.0
123.2
127.6
9 8.7
9 7.8
109.4
112.1
123.4
116.4

101.8
105.1
68.8
119.0
123.5
133.7
9 3 .3
116.7
123.8
127.9
9 8.6
9 9 .4
109.6
113.9
125.5
114.1

8 1.6
140.4

8 2.2
149.1

8 1 .6
138.3

8 1.2
135.9

8 1.3
135.1

8 0 .2
134.5

80.5
138.1

8 1.1
141.5

8 1.6
143.3

8 2.1
144.1

8 2.6
143.7

8 2.6
143.8

8 2.6
137.9

102.0
103.9
126.4

102.7
105.0
121.1

102.1
104.7
120.6

102.4
104.4
119.7

102.6
104.4
124.1

101.8
103.8
127.2

101.3
103.6
141.1

102.1
103.9
134.6

101.8
104.0
126.4

101.6
104.2
124.3

101.8
102.8
125.4

101.9
102.7
123.9

101.5
103.5
128.1

125.3
105.7
143.7
102.0
132.2
5 /1 0 5 .8
5 / 9 0.8
7 / 9 1.1
5 / 8 6.8

113.3
106.9
139.2
105.1
122.7
*
*
*
*

116.6
106.0
132.7
103.1
117.0
*
*
*
*

122.0
104.8
132.2
101.8
115.1
*
*
*
*

131.1
101.1
134.3
101.3
117.3
*
9 9.8
*
*

135.8
105.4
141.1
9 9 .2
122.2
*
8 5.8
*
*

146.7
104.3
150.8
9 7.9
136.7
*
86.9
*
116.7

143.4
103.2
147.8
9 6.8
148.1
111.6
*
117.8
78.0

138.6
104.6
151.0
9 6.6
163.9
9 5.8
*
8 2.7
65.7

123.2
106.7
150.8
104.3
163.3
109.9
*
77.8
*

108.8
116.6
152.5
105.4
130.3
*
*
8 6.0
*

107.9
106.3
146.6
106.9
126.1
*
*
8/
*

115.6
101.9
144.9
106.1
124.2
*
*
*
*

119.2
122.4
132.9
113.8
126.1
9 7 .2
136.5
105.4
120.6
116.9

102.3
123.7
126.6
116.2
116.4
103.8
148.9
125.6
141.1
115.6

102.6
125.0
137.9
113.7
136.4
9 4.9
143.3
114.7
146.3
116.0

99.5
126.5
185.1
112.9
116.8
88.9
136.3
114.2
127.3
116.4

105.0
125.4
199.2
111.4
108.5
84.7
129.8
115.0
140.6
116.9

118.8
126.6
167.5
111.0
101.8
9 0.4
132.0
122.3
132.2
117.5

168.8
133.0
129.2
113.9
110.2
100.0
123.9
107.2
90.5
118.0

153.1
134.5
120.5
114.3
114.3
9 9.0
126.8
9 2.7
8 8 .2
118.7

127.5
140.0
116.5
114.7
121.7
9 2 .1
120.9
78.5
9 1.0
118.4

110.4
114.3
107.9
110.1
159.2
9 9.2
122.2
75.4
9 9.5
117.4

110.0
106.1
101.1
115.0
163.8
103.1
137.1
9 6 .4
100.6
116.8

115.0
104.8
101.7
113.7
130.1
103.8
141.1
100.4
140.5
116.4

117.4
109.3
102.0
118.4
134.4
106.1
176.1
122.2
149.6
115.2

158.7
113.3
117.6
106.2

149.0
113.8
115.5
106.5

150.6
114.8
116.0
106.9

151.3
115.5
116.4
107.4

153.0
116.2
116.7
107.6

156.4
116.1
116.8
107.5

160.5
116.5
116.9
107.6

163.7
116.4
117.2
107.6

165.6
113.6
117.8
106.7

166.3
110.6
118.4
105.0

165.1
109.4
119.2
104.0

164.6
108.3
119.7
103.9

158.7
108.0
120.4
103.4

114.0
9 6.6
107.0
103.4
124.7
164.6
9 0.6

110.1
9 9.4
110.1
103.2
123.5
161.0
9 1.0

111.8
9 8.6
108.9
103.3
124.0
162.6
9 0.7

113.3
98.5
108.8
103.3
124.7
164.2
91.0

114.6
9 8.8
107.7
103.5
125.2
165.0
9 1.2

115.5
9 8 .1
107.9
103.5
125.4
165.4
9 1 .3

116.2
9 7.2
106.6
103.4
125.9
165.9
9 1.6

116.7
9 6.9
106.8
103.7
126.2
166.4
9 1.9

115.8
96.9
106.1
103.5
125.8
166.3
9 1 .3

114.3
9 4.8
105.1
103.3
125.5
166.1
9 0.9

113.5
9 3.6
105.4
103.3
124.5
165.7
8 9.7

113.1
92.9
105.4
103.3
123.1
164.0
8 8.7

112.6
9 3.3
104.6
103.2
122.4
163.0
8 8 .1

See fo o t n o t e s a t end o f t a b le .




25

S ept.

T able 6.

Indexes o f R e t a il P r ic e s o f P r in c ip a l Foods in the United S ta te s , by Month, 1959 and 1960— Continued
^1947-49=100 u n less oth erw ise in d ic a t e d /
1959

A r t ic l e o r group
Other food s at home ---------------------------------P a r t ia ll y prepared fo o d s :
Soup,
tomato 2 / -------- ------- ---------------Beans w ith pork 2 / ----------------- ---------Condiments and sa u ces:
P ic k le s , s l i c e d 2 / ---------------------------Catsup, tomato 2 / - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Beverages, n o n a lc o h o lic — - — — - — ---C o f f e e -------- ------—— — — — — ----- -------Tea 2 / .............................................................
Cola drink s 2 / ---------------------------------F ats and o i l s — — — - - - - - — — — -----Shorten in g, hydrogenated ------ ---------M a r g a r in e ------ ------------------------------------ L a r d ..................................................................
Salad d r e ssin g — ---------- — - — ----- ------Peanut b u t t e r 2 / ------------------------------Sugar and sw eets -----------------------------------S u g a r -------- ----- — - — — - — — ------— ----Corn syrup 2 / - - — ---------------------— - —
Grape j e l l y 2 / -----------------------------------C h ocola te bar 2 / ------ -----------— - - —
Eggs, grade A, la rg e — ------------------------M iscella n eou s fo o d s :
G e la tin , fla v o r e d 2 J ------ -— -----------

Aver____ age

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

106.1

109.9

108.1

107.3

9 9.8
106.2

9 9.5
106.8

9 9.7
106.8

9 9.4
9 9.0
162.7
139.6
125.3
129.4
8 1.8
83.9
73.6
73.5
100.1
113.8
120.5
119.0
112.8
117.9
114.0
75.7

100.2
9 9.4
168.9
150.2
125.0
125.4
8 4.9
8 7.8
76.0
8 1.7
100.6
114.6
120.1
118.4
112.2
117.4
114.1
8 3 .3

107.8

106.4

May

June

Ju ly

Aug.

O ct.

Nov.

Dec.

104.7

102.8

102.3

105.7

106.2

107.6

107.0

106.4

105.4

100.0
106.9

100.5
106.7

100.3
106.9

100.3
105.7

100.6
106.2

100.0
105.8

9 9.1
106.1

9 9.3
105.6

9 8.8
105.1

9 9.6
105.2

9 9.6
99.7
165.0
145.0
125.0
125.1
8 3.7
8 5.6
75.7
78.6
100.6
114.4
120.1
118.1
112.5
117.4
114.2
8 0.0

99.5
9 9.7
165.4
143.6
125.0
128.9
8 2.8
8 4.9
74.4
76.3
100.8
114.0
120.2
118.5
112.6
117.4
114.2
77.5

9 9.7
99.9
164.4
141.7
124.9
130.1
8 2 .3
8 4.4
73.5
75.3
100.9
114.0
120.1
118.1
112.7
118.1
114.0
68.9

99.5
9 9.7
161.5
137.6
125.2
130.2
8 1.8
8 3.6
73.1
74.0
100.8
113.9
119.9
117.8
112.6
117.7
113.9
64.5

9 9.8
9 8.8
160.6
136.5
124.9
129.9
8 1.7
83.8
72.9
73.5
100.6
113.8
120.2
118.4
112.7
117.6
113.9
6 3.3

9 9.9
9 8.9
160.9
136.7
125.6
130.1
8 1 .8
8 4.3
72.8
72.7
100.7
114.0
120.6
119.0
112.8
118.1
114.1
75.0

9 9.1
9 8.3
160.7
136.3
125.4
130.3
8 1.5
8 4.5
72.8
71.3
100.3
113.4
120.7
119.2
112.9
118.1
114.0
77.4

9 8.9
9 8.5
160.7
136.1
125.5
130.7
8 1 .2
83.9
72.8
70.5
100.1
113.4
120.8
119.7
112.9
118.1
113.8
8 3.1

9 9.0
98.7
161.5
137.2
125.6
130.9
8 0.5
8 1.8
73.2
70.1
9 9.2
113.2
121.0
120.1
113.0
118.3
113.8
8 0.8

9 9.0
9 8.5
161.4
137.1
125.6
130.8
8 0 .2
8 1 .1
73.5
6 9.3
9 8.7
113.5
121.1
120.3
113.1
118.6
113.7
78.9

9 8.9
9 8 .4
161.1
136.9
125.8
130.3
7 9.6
8 0.8
72.6
6 8.8
9 7.9
113.4
121.2
120.6
113.2
118.3
113.8
7 5.8

106.9

107.3

107.4

107.8

108.3

108.5

108.3

107.7

107.9

108.3

108.3

S ept.

1960
A l l f o o d s ------------------- ----------------------------Food away from home 1 / ---------------- -— - —
Food a t h o m e ------ ----- ----------------— ------------C ereals and bakery p rod u cts -------- ------C erea ls:
F lou r, w h e a t -------- -— — — — — ------B is c u it mix 7 j -------------------------------Macaroni 1 0 / ---------------------------------Corn m e a l ---- ---------------- -----------------R i c e --------------- ---------------- -— ---------—
R o lle d o a ts ---------------------- — ---------Corn fla k e s ------------------------------------Bakery p rod u cts:
B r e a d -------------------------— -------------------Soda cra c k e rs 2 / ----------------- ---------V a n illa c o o k ie s -----------------------------Meats, p o u lt r y , and f i s h --------------------M e a t s --------------- ------------------ ---------------Beef and v e a l ---------------------------------Round s t e a k ------ ----- — ----------------S ir lo i n stea k 10/ ----------------- -—
Chuck r o a s t ------------------------- -----Rib ro a s t — --------------- ---------------Hamburger ------------------------------------Veal c u t l e t s ---------------------------- —
P o r k .............................................................
Pork chops, c e n te r cu t -------------Pork r o a s t , lo i n h a lf 10/ -------Bacon, s l i c e d -----------------------------Ham, whole - - - - - - - — ------------------Lamb, l e g ------------------------ --------------Other m eats:
F ra n k fu rters 2 / -------------------------Luncheon meat, earned 2/ —-----P o u ltr y , fr y in g ch ick en s ---------- -----F i s h ........................— .....................................
F ish , fr e s h o r fr o z e n ------------------Canned f i s h :
Salmon, p i n k ----------------- ------------Tuna f i s h 2 / -----------------------------Dairy p rod u cts --------------------------------------M ilk, fr e s h , (g r o c e r y ) --------------------M ilk, fr e s h , (d e liv e r e d ) ...............—
I ce cream 2 / -------------------------------------B utter -------------------------------------------------Cheese, American p r o ce s s ----------------M ilk, ev aporated -------------------------------A l l f r u i t s and v e g e ta b le s -----------------Frozen f r u i t s and v e g e ta b le s 2 / ---Frozen f r u i t s :
Stra w berries 2 / ------------------------ Orange j u ic e co n c e n tra te 2 / ---Lemonade co n c e n tra te 10/ ---------Frozen v e g e t a b le s :
Peas, green 2 / -------------------------Beans, green 2 / --------------- ------ —
P o ta t o e s , fren ch f r i e d 10/ -----Fresh f r u i t s and v e g e ta b le s -----------Fresh f r u i t s :
Apples --------------- -------------------------B a n a n as---- ------------- --------------------Oranges, s i z e 200 -----------------------Lemons 3 / ---- ------------------------- -—
G ra p e fru it, s i z e 64 l / ------ ------Peaches 4 / -----------------------------------S tra w berries 6 / ------ — — ------------

119.7
118.8
116.9
136.8

117.6
117.6
114.7
134.8

117.4
117.8
114.4
135.2

117.7
118.0
114.7
135.5

119.5
118.5
116.7
135.8

119.7
118.6
117.0
135.6

120.3
118.8
117.7
136.1

120.6
118.9
117.9
137.5

120.1
119.1
117.4
137.7

120.2
119.3
117.4
137.8

120.9
119.4
118.2
138.5

121.1
119.6
118.4
138.6

121.4
119.9
118.7
139.0

114.8
9 6 .2
1 1/1 00 .7
115.7
9 6.4
149.2
152.9

113.4
9 6 .4
—
115.6
9 6.4
146.1
152.4

113.5
9 6 .4
-115.7
9 6.6
147.4
152.4

113.9
9 6.2
—
115.6
9 6.5
148.3
152.6

114.8
9 6.3
100.0
115.4
9 6.7
148.8
152.4

114.6
9 6.1
100.4
115.4
9 6.7
149.1
152.4

115.1
9 6.3
100.6
115.4
9 6.5
149.5
152.5

115.3
9 6.2
100.8
115.5
9 6.5
149.8
152.8

115.3
9 6.4
100.9
115.7
9 6.4
150.1
152.8

114.3
95.7
100.9
115.8
95.9
149.9
153.3

115.2
9 5.8
100.9
115.8
9 6.6
149.8
153.3

115.7
9 6.1
100.9
115.8
9 6.1
150.5
153.5

116.0
9 6 .1
101.1
116.1
9 6.2
150.8
153.8

152.5
112.8
126.2
109.3
114.5
120.0
127.9
11/ 9 9.4
111.2
122.8
107.9
152.8
101.1
118.5
11/1 06 .4
1
8 9 .6
9 3.0
107.5

148.7
112.8
126.1
106.4
110.8
121.0
128.1
-113.4
123.3
109.5
152.8
9 2.4
107.9
-78.7
9 0.2
106.6

149.7
112.7
126.2
106.2
110.4
120.2
127.2
-113.0
122.3
108.0
154.0
92.5
107.7
-79.6
89.5
105.5

150.2
112.4
126.2
107.2
111.4
120.5
127.6
-113.0
122.7
108.4
155.1
9 4.2
111.1
-8 0.4
9 0.5
107.2

150.4
112.5
126.0
109.3
114.1
122.2
130.1
100.0
115.7
122.0
109.4
154.1
9 8.2
115.8
100.0
8 7.4
8 9.3
109.1

-150.2
112.6
125.3
109.7
115.0
121.6
129.4
100.4
113.8
124.0
108.7
154.1
100.5
113.5
9 8 .8
9 1.0
9 4.3
110.8

151.0
112.8
125.5
110.3
115.8
121.0
129.3
100.4
112.0
123.9
108.3
154.2
102.7
118.6
103.6
9 2.2
9 4.4
112.1

153.6
112.8
126.2
110.8
116.0
120.1
128.2
100.0
109.4
123.5
108.9
152.3
104.5
124.0
108.0
9 2.3
9 4.7
109.2

154.0
113.0
126.4
111.3
117.0
119.6
128.0
9 9.7
109.6
123.2
107.5
151.3
106.7
124.2
108.9
9 7 .2
94.9
106.9

154.5
113.1
126.5
110.2
115.8
118.6
127.1
9 9.0
108.3
121.8
106.5
152.2
104.9
124.7
108.1
9 4.3
9 3.0
106.6

155.8
112.6
126.8
110.0
116.0
118.2
127.2
9 8 .2
107.1
122.2
106.3
151.8
105.8
126.2
110.8
94.0
93.9
106.4

155.8
113.0
126.4
109.9
115.7
118.0
125.8
9 8 .3
108.5
121.9
105.7
150.4
105.2
124.8
110.3
9 3.3
9 4.3
106.0

156.5
113.0
126.4
110.5
116.5
119.2
126.7
98.5
110.8
122.4
107.0
151.2
106.1
123.1
109.2
9 4.7
9 7.2
104.1

102.6
104.1
71.7
119.7
123.2

101.1
104.7
71.4
119.5
123.7

100.6
104.0
72.5
119.3
123.4

100.7
104.1
74.2
119.3
123.7

102.5
104.0
73.9
119.3
123.0

102.6
104.4
72.3
119.6
123.3

102.6
104.3
71.7
119.7
123.5

101.9
104.2
73.7
119.5
122.8

104.3
103.5
7 2.3
119.4
122.5

103.4
103.9
7 1.1
119.5
122.7

103.4
103.8
69.0
119.9
122.9

103.9
104.2
6 9.6
120.4
123.4

103.8
104.5
6 9.0
120.6
123.2

137.7
9 3.9
116.8
123.9
128.3
9 7.8
9 4.9
113.7
115.8
128.3
108.8

134.9
9 3.8
116.5
124.0
127.8
9 8.7
9 5.4
111.4
114.9
125.7
110.2

135.4
9 3.7
116.5
124.1
128.0
9 8.5
9 4.4
111.8
115.2
125.9
109.2

135.4
9 3.1
116.4
124.0
127.8
98.5
9 4.3
112.2
115.3
125.0
108.4

135.8
9 3.8
115.3
121.9
126.2
9 7.8
93.9
112.3
115.6
129.9
108.0

136.3
9 4.2
115.0
121.3
125.9
97.8
9 4.1
112.1
115.3
132.9
107.2

136.3
94.0
115.0
121.3
125.9
97.9
93.9
112.4
115.6
136.1
107.5

136.9
9 4.5
115.8
122,7
127.4
9 7.3
9 3.7
112.7
115.8
134.4
107.7

137.1
9 4.6
116.6
124.0
128.7
9 7 .6
9 3.9
112.5
116.0
127.3
107.8

138.0
9 4 .2
117.5
125.0
129.9
9 7 .1
9 5.0
113.4
116.5
124.6
108.0

140.0
9 3.8
118.4
125.9
130.4
9 7.3
9 6.4
115.3
116.3
124.8
109.5

142.1
9 3.7
118.9
126.0
130.5
9 7.6
9 7.0
118.4
116.4
126.2
110.5

144.7
9 3.5
119.3
126.2
131.0
9 7 .2
9 7 .1
120.3
116.1
126.3
111.2

82.9
123.5
11/ 9 6.4

8 2.6
127.1

82.7
124.4

8 2.6
122.9
—

8 2.1
122.0
100.0

8 2.4
120.3
9 7.8

8 2.0
121.4
9 6.8

8 2.7
121.2
9 5 .7

83.0
121.5
9 3.8

8 3 .2
121.5
9 4.5

83.7
125.0
9 6.1

8 4.5
126.6
9 6 .1

8 3.7
127.9
9 6.4

102.6
105.0
1 1 /1 00 .3
134.1

102.0
104.4
-129.9

101.9
104.8
-130.7

101.8
104.1
-129.3

101.7
104.6
100.0
137.2

100.9
104.8
99.9
142.0

101.1
104.9
100.4
147.0

101.8
105.3
100.5
144.2

102.3
105.3
100.4
132.7

103.1
104.8
100.5
128.2

103.4
105.4
100.4
128.1

104.8
105.7
100.4
129.9

106.2
105.8
100.5
129.6

1 2/1 42 .5
9 8.7
162.1
105.3
144.3
5 /1 0 1 .0
5 / 9 9.1

120.2
107.1
139.6
105.5
121.4
k
k

124.2
102.7
137.5
103.8
120.7
*
*

129.9
100.6
140.6
102.7
120.5
*
*

142.6
94.9
149.6
9 9.6
124.6
*
111.2

158.4
95.0
149.6
9 8.9
139.3
*
101.9

187.7
9 9.3
157.0
9 7.1
153.9
*
8 4.2

196.4
9 0.8
170.1
9 8.0
157.8
105.9
*

8/
9 5.6
178.0
101.3
154.5
9 0.8
*

134.9
9 7.8
183.0
107.3
173.9
106.2
*

121.5
101.9
189.7
111.4
189.6
*
*

122.9
9 6 .2
188.9
115.5
143.1
k

128.8
102.1
161.4
122.8
132.1
*
*

See fo o t n o t e s at end o f t a b le .




26

Table 6 .

Indexes o f Retail Prices of Principal Foods in the United States, by Month, 1959 and 1960— Continued
/1 9 4 7 -4 9 “ 100 u n less otherw ise in d ic a te d /
1960

A r t ic l e o r group

A l l fr u it s and v e g e ta b le s — Con.
Fresh fr u it s and v e g e ta b le s--C o n .
Fresh f r u i t s — Con.
Grapes, s e e d le ss 4 / ---------------------- Watermelons 9 / --------------------------------Fresh v e g e ta b le s:
P otatoes ------ ----------- -----------------------Sw eetpotatoes --------------- ------ ----------O n io n s ----------------------— -------— — ----Carrots --------------------------------------------L ettu ce, s iz e 6 0 ----------- -— -------- C elery 1/ — -------------------------------------C a b b a ge-------------------------------------------Tomatoes 2 / - -------------------------------------Beans, green - - ----------------- ----- -------- Canned f r u it s and v eg eta b les — ----------Canned fr u i t s :
Orange ju ic e 2 / - - — ---- ------------------P ineapple j u ic e 10/ - - - - - - - - — -----Peaches — ----------------------------------------P in e a p p le ---- -------------------- -------------F ru it c o c k t a il 2/ ---------------------------Canned v e g e ta b le s:
Corn, cream s t y le ---------------------------Peas, g r e e n --------------- --------- — -------T om a toes------ ---------- -— -------------------Tomato j u ic e 10/ — - — - — -------------Baby food s 2 / ---------------------------------Dried fr u it s and v eg eta b les -------- -— —
P r u n e s ---- -------------------------------------------Dried beans -------------------------------------—
Other food s at h om e ----------— --------— -------P a r t ia lly prepared fo o d s:
Soup, tomato 2 / ----------------------------------Bean 8 w ith pork 2 / -------- -----------------Condiments and sauces:
P ic k le s , s l ic e d 2 / — -----------------------Catsup, tomato 2 / ----------------------— ----B e v e ra g e s --------------------------------------- -------C o f f e e .......... ...................................................
Tea 2/ ..............................................................
Cola drinks 2 / -----------------------------------Fats and o i l s ------ ---------------------— -------Shortening, hydrogenated ---- ------------Margarine — -------------------- -------------------L a r d ..................................................................
Salad dressin g — - — ---------------- ----- ----Peanut b u tte r 2 / - - - — ------— -------------Sugar and s w e e t s ---- -------— - — --------------Sugar ---------------------------------------------------Corn syrup 2 / — ----------- ---------------------Grape j e l l y 2 / --------------------------------—
C hocolate bar 2 / ----------------------------- Eggs, grade A, la rg e ----------------------------M iscellaneous fo o d s:
G ela tin , fla v o r e d 2 f ------ ------- --------Potato ch ip s 1 0 / ------ ----- --------------------*/
1/
2/
y
y
y
6/
2/
8/
y
10/
11/
12/
13/

Aver­
age

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

O ct.

Nov.

13/ 89.5
5 / 82.7

*
*

*
*

*

*
*

*
*

*

*

118.3

115.9
70.0

82.8
59.9

77.1
*

84.4
*

8 7.4
*

135.6
12/121.6
107.8
109.3
121.4
95.2
139.1
112.5
119.0
113.1

124.2
112.3
104.2
110.1
132.9
105.0
165.6
140.6
129.8
113.0

129.7
114.4
9 9.1
100.3
140.5
101.8
157.4
133.0
154.7
112.0

131.1
114.3
95.0
98.9
123.8
98.4
144.2
121.5
154.0
112.1

151.4
114.5
106.7
97.0
119.8
86.6
142.0
140.2
128.0
112.3

157.5
120.9
119.0
100.7
119.5
92.6
178.5
139.0
130.7
112.5

153.1
129.9
117.6
109.3
99.9
9 7.2
158.9
119.1
109.1
112.7

146.2
8/
120.1
121.2
127.5
101.6
131.5
109.2
97.7
112.9

133.2
153.2
119.2
122.4
114.2
9 2.3
122.2
75.1
9 2.3
113.2

124.9
127.1
109.3
114.6
121.4
96.0
115.6
68.6
99.2
113.3

121.6
113.2
101.8
111.2
116.1
91.9
114.4
78.4
101.7
113.8

126.0
116.0
101.4
111.3
133.0
91.2
115.6
87.4
118.9
114.4

128.1
121.7
100.7
114.9
108.1
87.8
123.2
137.4
111.6
115.0

137.3
11/ 96.9
107.4
122.7
103.8

145.2
—
107.9
121.3
103.5

138.7
-107.2
121.7
103.8

137.4
—
107.0
122.0
103.6

136.8
100.0
107.4
121.9
103.3

135.4
100.4
107.4
122.5
103.6

135.4
100.4
107.0
122.4
103.7

135.6
9 6.6
107.9
122.8
104.0

136.1
96.0
108.2
123.2
104.3

135.4
9 5.2
107.1
123.6
104.1

136.0
95.0
107.0
123.3
104.0

136.9
94.4
107.3
123.8
104.0

138.7
94.5
107,5
123.5
103.9

113.5
98.4
108.8
11/101.6
104.2
122.9
163.9
88.3
106.8

112.2
94.4
105.0
—
102.6
122.7
162.8
88.6
104.5

110.8
9 5.1
106.4
-102.5
123.3
162.9
8 9.6
102.9

110.8
95.2
108.5
—
102.7
122.8
162.7
88.9
103.4

111.7
95.6
109.1
100.0
102.9
122.9
163.0

112.4
97.3
109.9
101.3
102.7
122.5
163.3
88.1
104.5

113.3
9 8.9
110.3
101.5
102.6
122.6
163.5
88.0
104.8

113.7
99,7
109.6
101.7
103.0
122.4
163.6
87.7
106.5

114.5
100.9
109.2
101.7
104.7
122.1
163.6
87.3
109.3

115.1
101.6
109.0
101.7
107.5
122.5
164.3
87.6
112.0

116.7
102.4
109.0
102.8
107.9
123.2
165.9
87.6
111.6

118.3
102.6
109.7
103.2
108.6
124.7
167.8

106.1

112.1
96.6
109.9
100.8
102.8
122.7
163.0
88.5
104.9

99.8
105.1

9 9.3
105.3

99.7
105.3

100.2
105.2

100.5
105.2

100.1
104.7

100.5
105.0

100.2
105.0

100.1
105.0

9 9.2
105.3

99.4
105.0

99.0
105.3

99.5
105.1

9 9.4
99.5
161.6
136.6
126.0
132.3
78.1
78.1
71.0
70.3
95.8
113.2
121.1
121.2
113.8
120.1
111.5
81.6

99.0
98.2
161.7
137.9
125.7
130.0
78.9
79.4
72.1
68.3
97.3
113.2
121.3
120.3
113.6
119.3
113.8
72.7

9 9.0
98.5
160.9
137.1
125.7
129.3
77.5
76.8
71.3
67.6
96.0
113.1
121.1
119.6
113.6
119.8
113.8
68.5

9 9.1
98.3
160.8
137.1
125.7
129.0
77.3
76.9
70.9
67.0
95.5
113.0
121.2
119.7
113.6
120.2
113.7
70.4

99.1
9 9.3
161.7
137.3
125.8
131.2
77.6
77.6
70.9
67.8
95.7
112.9
121.0
119.5
113.6
120.2
113.3
79.3

9 9 ,2
9 9.8
162.2
137.5
126.0
132.1
77.2
76.6
70.5
6 8.3
95.7
112.8
120.9
119.5
113.6
119.9
113.4
75.1

100.0
99.7
162.6
137.6
125.9
133.0
77.1
76.0
70.4
68.7
95.5
113.2
120.8
119.2
113.5
119.5
113.4
73.2

9 9.4
99.9
163.3
138.3
126.2
133.3
77.6
76.9
69.6
95.9
113.3
121.0
119.6
113.7
119.8
113.4
73.6

99.5
99.7
161.2
135.3
126.2
133.7
78.1
78.1
70.4
71.1
95.7
113.5
122.0
122.0
113.9
119.8
113.4
8 0.1

99.5
100.0
160.7
134.4
126.1
133.9
78.7
78.9
71.0
73.1
95.5
113.4
122.7
123.3
113.8
121.0
113.3
8 9.8

99.6
99.9
161.5
135.6
126.3
134.0
78.6
79.0
70.8
72.9
9 5.4
113.2
121.8
123.7
113.9
120.3
110.2
9 9.6

99.6
100.2
161.7
135.8
126.2
134.0
79.3
80.3
71.1
73.9
95.7
113.2
120.0
123.8
114.0
120.4
104.3
98.7

99.8
100.2
161.4
135.4
126.3
134.0
79.7
81.0
71.5
74.7
95.7
113.3
119.4
123.8
114.2
121.3
102.1
98.4

108.0
100.4

108.3

108.3

107.9
““

107.4
100.0

107.5
100.1

108.0
100.2

108.5
100.4

108.6
100.8

108.3
100.7

108.6
100.3

106.9
100.5

108.1
100.9

88.8

Priced only in season.
January 1953=100.
December 1952=100.
May 1953=100.
1953=100.
3-*onth average.
April 1953=100.
4-month average.
Not available.
June 1953=100.
April 1960=100.
9-month average.
11-month average.
5-month average.




27

72.9

Dec.

*
*

88.8
111.6

Table 7.

Average R etail Prices of Principal Foods in the United States 1 / , by Month, 1959 and 1960

^In Cents]
1959
A ver­
age

C ereals and bakery p r o d u c ts:
C e r e a ls :
F lo u r , wheat-------------------------------B i s c u i t mix 2 / ---------------------------Corn meal 3 / -------------------------------R ic e , sh o r t g ra in 4 / ----------------R ic e , lon g g r a in 57------------------R o lle d o a t s ---------------------------------Corn fla k e s 6 / - -------------------------Bakery p r o d u c ts:
Bread--------------------------------------------Soda c r a c k e r s -----------------------------V a n illa c o o k ie s 7 / --------------------M eats, p o u lt r y , and f i s h :
M eats:
B eef and v e a l :
Round ste a k 2 / 8 / ------------------Chuck r o a s t 8 / 9 / ------------------Rib r o a s t 2 / 8 / ----------------------Hamburger--------------------------------V eal c u t l e t s 2 / ----------------------Pork:
Pork ch op s, ce n t e r c u t ---------Bacon, s l i c e d --------------------------Ham, w h ole-------------------------------Lamb, le g 1 0 /-----------------------------Other m eats:
F r a n k fu r t e r s --------------------------Luncheon meat-------------------------- - 1 2 -o z . can
P o u lt r y , fr y in g c h ick e n s:
R e a d y -t o -c o o k ------- ------------------- ---------- pound
F ish :
Fresh o r fr o z e n :
Ocean p e r ch , f i l l e t , fr o z e n 1 1 /---p o u n d
Haddock, f i l l e t , fr o z e n 1 2 /Canned:
Salmon, p in k ------- ---------— - - - 1 6 -o z . can
Tuna f i s h , chunk 1 3 /------------6 -6 % -oz. can
D airy p r o d u c ts:
M ilk , fr e s h , (g r o c e r y ) 1 4 /---------M ilk , fr e s h , ( d e liv e r e d ) 1 5 /-----I c e cream------------------- ------------- ------B u tte r------------------- -------------------------C heese, American p r o ce ss 1 8 /-----M ilk , e v a p o ra te d --------------------------- 14%-oz. can
A l l f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Frozen f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Frozen f r u i t s :
S tra w b erries— - — ---------------Orange ju ic e c o n c e n tr a te -----Frozen v e g e t a b le s :
P eas, g reen -----------------------------Beans, green--------------Fresh f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Fresh f r u i t s :
A p ples--------------------------------------Bananas------------------------------------O ranges, s i z e 200------------------Lemons--------------------------------------G r a p e fr u it , s i z e 64--------------Peaches ( J u ly - S e p t .) ------------S tra w berries (A p r il-J u n e )---G rapes, s e e d le s s (J u ly -N o v .)
Watermelons (J u n e -A u g .)-------Fresh v e g e t a b le s :
P o t a t o e s ----------------------------------S w eetp ota toes-------------------------O nions----------------------------------------------------- do
C a rr o ts------------------------------------L e t t u c e , s i z e 6 0 - - ----------------Ce le r y — ----------------------------------Cabbage------------------------------------Tom atoes----------------------------------Beans, g r e e n - - --------------------- —
Canned f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Canned f r u i t s :
Orange j u i c e - - ---------------------------4 6 - o z . can
P eaches------------------------------------- -N o. 2% can
P in ea p p le---------------------------------F ru it c o c k t a i l ------------------------ ■No. 303 can
Canned v e g e t a b le s :
Corn, cream s t y l e ------------------- ■No. 303 can
P eas, g r e e n ----------------------------Tomatoes 2 2 /---------------------------Baby fo o d s --------------------- --------- •4%-5 ounces
D ried f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Prunes 2 / ------------------------------------D ried b e a n s -------------------------------

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

June

July

Aug.

S ep t.

O ct.

Nov.

Dec.

5 4.5
2 6.9
13.0
18.7
2 1.0
2 0.5
2 5.6

5 5.0
2 6.8
12.9
18.7
2 1.1
2 0 .4
2 5.7

5 4.8
2 6.8
12.9
18.5
2 1.2
2 0 .4
25.6

5 4.9
2 6.8
12.9
18.5
2 1.2
2 0.4
2 5.6

54.9
2 6.8
12.9
18.5
2 1.2
2 0.4
2 5.6

54.9
26.9
13.0
18.6
2 1.2
2 0 .4
2 5.6

5 4 .4
2 6.9
13.0
18.9
2 0.9
2 0 .4
2 5.5

5 4.3
2 7.0
13.0
19.0
2 1.0
2 0 .4
2 5 .6

5 4.1
2 7.0
13.0
19.0
2 0 .8
2 0.4
2 5.6

5 3.9
2 7.0
13.0
18.9
2 0.9
2 0 .4
2 5.6

5 3.8
2 7.0
13.0
18.7
2 0.8
2 0.4
25.7

5 4.0
2 6.9
13.0
18.5
2 0.8
2 0.5
25.7

54.5
2 6.9
13.0
18.5
2 0.5
2 1.1
25.7

19.7
2 9.1
2 4 .4

19.6
2 9.2
2 4 .4

19.5
29.2
2 4 .4

19.6
2 9.3
2 4 .4

19.6
2 9.2
2 4 .4

19.7
2 9.2
2 4.5

19.7
2 9.1
2 4.5

1 9.8
2 9.2
2 4 .5

19.7
2 9.1
2 4.5

19.7
2 9.1
2 4 .4

19.8
2 9.0
2 4 .4

19.8
2 9.0
2 4 .4

19.8
2 9.0
2 4 .4

107.3
6 4 .1
8 2.7
5 4.9
142.1

106.7
6 4 .3
8 2.5
5 5.6
139.1

107.1
6 5.5
8 2 .4
55.7
142.5

107.2
6 5 .2
8 2 .1
5 5.2
140.6

107.7
6 4.8
8 2.9
5 5.0
141.5

107.7
6 5.7
8 3 .1
5 5.3
143.0

108.1
6 4.5
8 2.9
5 5 .3
143.3

108.9
6 4 .2
8 3.5
5 5 .4
143.9

107.0
6 2.7
8 2.5
5 4.7
142.9

107.8
6 2 .1
8 3.0
5 4 .6
143.4

106.5
6 3.6
8 2.9
54.6
142.5

107.0
6 3 .5
8 2.6
5 3.9
141.8

1 06.4
6 3 .2
8 2 .3
5 3.7
140.9

8 5.3
6 6.5
6 2.2
7 5.1

8 8 .8
7 2.1
6 7.5
7 5.5

8 4.8
6 9.4
6 4.9
73.9

8 1.7
6 7.5
6 3.7
73.7

8 4.0
6 8 .4
6 3.1
75.2

85.5
6 8 .8
6 2.7
7 6.5

8 7 .4
6 8.6
6 3 .1
7 7 .4

8 7.9
6 8 .4
6 2 .2
7 6.8

8 5 .4
6 6.6
6 0.1
74.9

8 9.0
6 5.9
6 0.5
7 4.8

8 6.6
6 3.1
5 9.6
7 4.7

8 3.8
6 0.7
5 9 .1
7 4 .4

7 9.2
5 8 .4
5 9 .6
73.9

64 o0
5 1 .4

6 5.7
5 3.0

6 5.3
5 2.0

6 4.9
5 1 .8

6 4.8
5 1.5

6 4.2
5 1 .3

6 3.9
5 1.2

6 4.0
5 1.1

6 3.5
5 1 .0

6 3 .5
5 0 .9

6 3.3
5 0 .8

6 2 .8
5 0.8

6 1 .9
5 0.8

4 2 .0

4 2 .9

4 3.5

4 3.6

4 2.7

4 2 .1

4 1 .4

4 2 .4

4 1.5

4 1.7

4 0 .6

4 0 .8

4 0 .9

4 7 .5
5 8 .4

4 7.6
5 9.7

47.7
6 0.2

4 7.7
59.7

4 7.9
6 0.6

4 7.5
5 9.2

4 7.7
5 8.8

4 7 .5
5 8 .2

4 7 .2
5 7.9

4 7 .3
5 7 .1

4 7 .0
5 6.6

4 7 .5
5 6 .4

4 7.5
5 6.5

6 2 .0
3 3 .1

6 1 .4
33.7

6 1.0
33.6

6 0.9
3 3.5

6 1 .1
33.5

6 1.2
3 3 .4

6 1 .4
3 3.3

6 1.5
3 3.3

6 1.7
3 3.2

6 2 .3
3 2.6

6 3 .3
3 2 .1

6 3 .8
3 2.3

6 4 .3
3 2 .4

2 4 .0
2 5.3
2 9.5
74.7
5 8.2
15.1

2 4.1
2 5.2
29.6
74.5
5 8.2
15.2

2 4.0
2 5.2
2 9.7
7 4.3
5 8.0
15.2

2 3.7
24.9
2 9.7
7 4 .4
5 8.0
15.2

2 3.6
2 4 .8
2 9.7
7 4 .1
5 8 .1
15.2

2 3.5
2 4.7
2 9.7
7 4.0
5 8 .1
15.2

2 3 .8
2 5.0
2 9.6
7 4 .1
5 8.5
15.2

2 4 .1
2 5 .3
29.7
7 4.3
5 8 .2
15.2

2 4 .4
2 5.6
2 9.7
7 6.6
5 8 .2
15.2

2 4.5
2 4.5
2 5 .8
2 5 .8
2 9.7 1 7 /8 7 .7
7 6 .8
7 7 .2
5 8 .3
5 8 .3
15.2
15.2

2 4.7
2 5 .9
8 7 .6
7 8.5
5 8.5
15.5

2 6 .2
2 5.8

2 6 .4
2 7 .4

26.2
2 5 .4

2 6.1
2 4.9

2 6.1
2 4.8

2 5.7
24.7

2 5 .8
2 5 .3

2 6 .0
2 6.0

2 6 .2
2 6 .3

2 6 .3
2 6.4

2 6.5
2 6 .4

2 6.5
2 6 .4

2 6.5
2 5.3

19.9
2 2.7

2 0.1
2 2.9

19.9
22.9

2 0.0
2 2.8

2 0.0
2 2.8

19.8
22.7

19.8
2 2.6

19.9
2 2.7

19.9
22.7

19.8
22.7

19.9
2 2.4

19.9
2 2.4

19.8
2 2.6

14.2
17.0
6 6 .4
18.9
13.3
1 9 /1 7 .1
1 9 /3 1 .6
2 0 /2 5 .6
JL9/5.3

12.8
17.2
6 4.3
19.5
12.4
(* /)
(* /)
(± 0
< * /)

13.2
17.1
6 1.3
19.1
11.8
(* /)
(* /)
(£/>
(* /)

13.8
16.9
6 1.1
18.9
11.6
(* /)
(* /)
(* /)
(* /)

14.9
16.3
6 2.1
18.7
11.8
(* /)
34.7
£ /)
(* /)

15.4
17.0
6 5 .2
18.4
12.3
(* /)
29.8
(* /)
(* /)

16.6
16.8
6 9.6
18.1
13.8
(* /)
30.2
(* /)
7 .2

1 6.4
16.6
6 8 .4
17.9
15.0
18.0
<*/>
3 3 .1
4 .7

15.8
16.8
6 9.9
17.9
16.5
15.5
(* /)
2 3.2
4 .0

14 o 1
17.2
6 9 .8
19.3
16.5
17.7
(* /)
2 1.9
(ID

12.4
18.8
70.5
19.5
13.2
(* J)
a n
2 4.2
(* /)

12.3
17.1
6 7.8
19.8
12.7
(* /)
(* /)
(2 1 /)
(* /)

13.2
1 6.4
6 7 .1
19.7
12.5
(* /)
(* /)
(* /)
a n

6 3.3
13.8
11.3
14.4
18.0
14.2
9 .4
2 9 .6
2 5.6

5 4 .3
13.9
10.8
14.7
16.7
15.1
10.2
3 5 .3
29.9

54.5
14.0
11.7
14.4
19.5
13.8
9 .9
32.2
3 1.0

5 2.8
14.2
15.7
14.3
16.7
12.9
9 .4
3 2 .1
2 7.0

5 5 .8
14.1
16.9
14.1
15.5
12.3
8 .9
32.3
2 9.8

6 3 .1
14.2
14.2
14.1
14.6
13.1
9 .1
3 4 .4
2 8.0

8 9.6
14.9
11.0
1 4.4
15.8
14.5
8 .5
3 0.1
19.2

8 1.2
15.2
10.2
14.5
16.3
14.5
8 .7
2 6 .0
18.8

6 7.6
15.8
9 .9
14.5
1 7.4
13.4
8 .3
2 2 .0
1 9.4

5 8.5
12.9
9 .2
13.9
22.7
14.5
8 .4
2 1.1
2 1.2

5 8 .3
12.0
8 .6
14.6
2 3 .4
15.0
9 .4
2 7.0
21.5

6 1.0
11.8
8 .6
14.5
18.6
15.2
9 .7
2 8.2
3 0.0

6 2 .3
1 2.3
8 .7
15.2
19.2
15.5
1 2.1
3 4.3
3 1 .9

4 9.7
3 5.5
3 6.3
2 7.6

4 6.7
35.6
3 5.7
2 7.6

4 7.2
35.9
3 5.8
27.7

4 7 .4
3 6.2
3 6.0
2 7 .8

4 9 .0
4 7.9
3 6 .4
3 6.3
3 6 .1
3 6.1
2 7.9 ! 2 7.9

5 0 .3
3 6.5
3 6 .1
2 7.9

5 1 .3
3 6.5
3 6.2
2 7.9

5 1.9
3 5.6
3 6 .4
2 7.7

5 2 .1
3 4.6
3 6.6
2 7.3

5 1.8
3 4.3
3 6.8
2 7.0

5 1.6
3 4 .0
3 7.0
2 7.0

4 9 .7
3 3 .9
3 7 .2
2 6.9

19.3
2 0 .4
15.5
10.1

18.6
2 1.0
15.9
10.1

18.9
2 0.8
15.8
10.1

19.1
2 0.8
15.8
10.1

19.4
2 0.8
15.6
1 0.1

19.5
2 0.7
15.7
1 0.1

19.6
2 0.5
15.5
10.1

19.7
2 0 .4
15.5
10.1

19.6
2 0 .4
1 5.4
10.1

19.3
2 0.0
15.2
10.1

19.2
19.7
15.2
10.1

19.1
19.6
15.2
10.1

1 9.0
19.7
15.1
1 0.1

3 9 .8
17.2

38.9
17.2

3 9.3
17.2

39.7
17.2

39.9
17.3

4 0 .0
17.3

4 0 .1
17.3

4 0 .2
1 7 .4

4 0 .2
1 7.3

4 0.2
17.2

4 0 .1
17.0

39.7
16.8

3 9.5
16.7

2 4 .1
2 5.3
1 6 /2 9 .7
7 5.3 5 8 .2
15.2

See fo o t n o t e s on page 31.




May

Apr.

28

j

Table 7.

Average R etail Prices of Principal Foods in the United States 1 / , by Month, 1959 and 1960— Continued

/£n Cent^/
1959
A r t i c l e o r group
A ver­
age

Other fo o d s a t home:
P a r t ia ll y prepared fo o d s :
Soup, tom ato------------------------------Beans w ith pork-------------------------Condiments and sa u ces:
P ic k le s , s l i c e d 2 3 /----------------Catsup, tom ato---------------------------B ev era g es:
C o f fe e ------------------------------------------C o ffe e 2 4 / ---------------------------------Tea b a g s------------------------------------package o f 16
Cola d r in k -----------------------ca rto n - 36 ounces
Fats and o i l s :
S h orten in g , h y drogenated--------- - - 3 - lb . can
M argarine, c o lo r e d 1 0 /-----------Lard---------------------------------------------Salad d r e s s in g ---------------------------Peanut b u t t e r -----------------------------Sugar and sw eets:
Sugar-------------------------------------------Corn sy ru p----------------------------------Grape j e l l y --------------------------------C h ocola te b a r -----------------------------Eggs, Grade A, la rg e 2 5 / ------------M iscella n eou s fo o d s :
G e la t in , fl a v o r e d ---------------------- -3 -4 ounces

Feb.

Jan.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

Ju ly

Aug.

S ep t.

O ct.

Nov.

Dec.

12.5
15.0

12.4
15.1

12.5
15.1

12.5
15.1

12.6
15.1

12.5
15.1

12.5
15.0

12.6
15.0

12.5
15.0

1 2.4
15.0

1 2.4
15.0

1 2.4
14.9

12.5
14.9

2 6.5
22.5

26.7
2 2.6

26.5
2 2.6

26.5
22.7

26.6
22.7

26.5
2 2.6

2 6.6
2 2 .4

26.7
2 2.5

2 6 .4
2 2.3

2 6 .4
2 2 .4

2 6 .4
2 2 .4

2 6 .4
2 2 .4

2 6 .4
2 2 .4

7 8.0
5 9 .2
2 4.2
2 9.2

83.7
6 4.0
2 4.2
2 8.3

8 0.5
6 2 .3
2 4 .1
2 8.3

79.5
61.9
24.2
29.2

7 8.1
6 1.5
2 4.1
2 9.4

7 7.2
5 7.9
2 4.2
2 9 .4

7 6.9
5 7.1
2 4.1
2 9.4

7 7.0
5 7.1
2 4.3
2 9 .4

7 6.8
5 7.0
2 4.3
2 9 .4

7 6.6
5 6 .9
2 4.3
29.5

76.7
5 8.0
2 4.3
2 9.6

76.6
5 8 .2
2 4.3
2 9.6

7 6 .4
5 8.1
24.3
2 9.4

8 8.2
2 8.0
19.9
3 7.6
5 5.7

9 2.3
28.9
2 2 .1
3 7 .8
5 6 .1

9 0.0
2 8.8
2 1.3
3 7.8
5 6 .0

8 9.4
2 8.3
20.7
3 7.8
5 5.9

8 8.8
2 8.0
2 0 .4
37.9
5 5.9

8 8.0
27.8
2 0.1
37.8
5 5.8

8 8.2
2 7.7
19.9
3 7.8
5 5 .7

8 8.7
2 7.7
19.6
3 7.8
5 5 .8

8 8.9
27.7
19.3
37.7
5 5.5

8 8.2
27.7
19.1
3 7.6
5 5 .5

8 6.0
2 7.8
18.9
3 7.2
5 5 .4

8 5.3
27.9
18.7
3 7.1
5 5.6

8 5.0
27.6
18.6
3 6.8
55.5

5 7.2
2 6.5
2 8.2
5 .1
5 3.0

5 6.9
2 6.3
2 8.1
5 .2
5 8.1

5 6.7
2 6 .4
2 8.1
5 .2
5 5.8

5 6.9
2 6.4
2 8.1
5 .2
5 4 .1

5 6.7
2 6.4
2 8.3
5 .1
4 8.0

5 6.6
2 6.4
2 8.2
5 .1
4 5.0

5 6 .9
2 6 .4
2 8 .1
5 .1
4 4 .2

5 7 .1
2 6.5
2 8.3
5 .2
52.5

5 7.3
26.5
2 8.3
5 .1
5 4.3

5 7.5
2 6.5
2 8.3
5 .1
5 8 .3

5 7.7
26.5
2 8.3
5 .1
56.7

57.7
26.5
2 8 .4
5 .1
5 5 .4

5 7.9
26.6
2 8 .3
5 .1
5 3.2

9 .3

9 .1

9 .2

9 .2

9 .2

9 .3

9 .3

9 .3

9 .3

9 .2

9 .3

9 .3

9 .3

1960
A verage

C ereals and bakery p r o d u c ts:
C e r e a ls :
F lo u r , wheat-------------------------------B is c u it mix 2 / ---------------------------Macaroni 2 /2 7 / ---------------------------Corn meal 1 1 /-----------------------------R ic e , sh o r t g ra in 2 9 / --------------R ic e , long g ra in 301 ----------------R o lle d o a t s --------------------------------Corn fl a k e s --------------------------------Bakery p r o d u c ts:
Bread--------------------------------------------Soda c r a c k e r s -----------------------------V a n illa c o o k ie s T J --------------------M eats, p o u lt r y , and f i s h :
M eats:
Beef and v e a l:
Round stea k 2 / -----------------------S ir lo i n stea k 2 7 / 3 1 /.............. .................do
Chuck r o a s t K)7"---------------------Rib r o a s t 2 / ---------------------------Hamburger--------------------------------Veal c u t l e t s 2 / ---------------------Pork:
Pork ch op s, ce n te r c u t ---------Pork r o a s t , lo i n h a lf 2 7 /---Bacon, s l i c e d -------------------------Ham, w hole-------------------------------Lamb, leg 1 0 /-----------------------------Other m eats:
F ra n k fu r te rs---------------------------Luncheon meat-------------------------- -1 2 -o z . can
P o u ltr y , fr y in g ch ick e n s:
R e a d y -to -c o o k ------------------------------ -----------pound
F ish :
Fresh or fr o z e n :
Ocean p erch , f i l l e t , fr o z e n 1 1 /.......... do
Haddock, f i l l e t , fr o z e n 3 2 /Canned:
Salmon, pin k ---------------------------- •-1 6 -o z . can
Tuna f i s h , chunk 1 3 /------------6 -6 ^ -o z . can
Dairy p rod u cts:
M ilk , fr e s h , (g r o c e r y ) 3 3 / ---------M ilk , fr e s h , (d e liv e r e d ) 2 / -------I ce cream----------------------------------------B u tter---------------------------------------------Cheese, American p r o ce ss 3 4 /-----M ilk , ev a p ora ted ---------------------------- 14%-oz. can
A ll f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Frozen f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Frozen f r u i t s :
S tra w b e rrie s---------------------------Orange j u i c e c o n c e n t r a t e -----Lemonade co n c e n tra te 2 7 / -----Frozen v e g e t a b le s :
P eas, g reen -----------------------------Beans, g re e n ---------------------------P o ta to e s , fr e n ch f r i e d 2 7 / - See

footnotes

26/
Jan.

5 5 .4
2 6.9
2 8 /2 3 .0
13.1
18.6
2 0.5
2 2.0
2 5.8

5 4.6
2 7.0
—
13.1
18.6
2 0.6
2 1.5
2 5.7

2 0.3
2 9 .0
2 4 .4

19.8
2 9.0
2 4 .4

105.5
2 8 /1 0 8 .8
6 1 .6
8 1.7
5 2 .4
141.6

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

June

Ju ly

Aug.

S ept.

O ct.

Nov.

Dec.

13.1
18.8
20.5
21.7
2 5.7

54.9
26.9
—
13.1
18.7
20.5
2 1.9
25.7

5 5 .3
2 6.9
2 2.9
13.0
18.7
2 0.6
2 1.9
2 5.7

5 5 .4
2 6.9
2 3.0
13.0
18.7
2 0.6
2 2 .0
25.7

55.7
2 6.9
2 3.0
13.0
18.6
2 0.6
2 2.0
25.7

5 5.7
2 6.9
2 3 .1
13.1
18.6
2 0.6
22.1
2 5.8

55.7
2 7.0
2 3 .1
13.1
18.6
2 0.5
2 2 .1
2 5 .8

5 5 .3
2 6.8
2 2.9
13.1
18.5
2 0 .4
2 2.1
2 5.9

5 5 .7
2 6 .8
2 3 .1
13.1
18.6
2 0.6
2 2 .1
2 5.9

5 5 .9
2 6.9
2 3 .1
13.1
18.5
2 0.5
2 2.2
2 5.9

5 6 .1
2 6.9
2 3.2
13.1
18.5
20.5
2 2 .2
2 6.0

2 0.0
28.9
2 4.4

2 0.0
2 8.9
2 4 .4

2 0 .1
2 8 .9
2 4 .3

2 0.0
2 8.9
2 4.3

2 0.1
2 9.0
2 4.3

2 0.5
2 9.0
2 4 .4

2 0.5
2 9.0
2 4 .4

2 0.6
2 9.0
24.5

2 0 .8
2 8.9
2 4.5

2 0.8
2 9.0
2 4 .4

2 0.9
2 9.0
2 4 .4

105.6

54.7
2 7.0
—

106.0

105.2

—

—

6 2.7
8 2 .0
5 3.2
141.9

6 2.6
8 1 .3
5 2.5
143.1

6 2.6
8 1.6
52.7
144.0

107.7
109.3
6 4.0
8 1 .1
5 3.2
143.1

105.9
110.0
6 3 .0
8 2 .4
5 2 .8
143.1

105.8
109.7
6 1.9
8 2.3
52.6
143.2

105.7
109.8
6 0.6
8 2.3
5 2.9
141.1

105.6
109.4
6 0 .8
8 2 .0
5 2.2
140.1

104.8
108.4
5 9.9
8 1.0
51.7
140.9

104.9
107.4
5 9.3
8 1.3
5 1.6
140.6

103.8
107.6
6 0 .1
8 1 .1
5 1.3
137.9

104.6
107.7
6 1 .4
8 1 .4
5 1.9
140.1

7 8.2

8 5.8
2 8 /6 2 .8
6 5.5
6 0 .4
73.9

—

—

5 7.5
5 8.6
7 3.3

5 8.2
5 8 .2
72.5

8 0.8
—
5 8.8
5 8.8
73.7

8 4.1
5 9 .1
6 3.9
5 8.1
75.0

8 2.3
5 8 .3
6 6.6
6 1 .3
7 6.2

8 6.0
6 1 .2
6 7 .4
6 1 .4
7 7.1

8 9.6
6 3.7
6 7.5
6 1.5
7 5.1

8 9.8
6 4 .2
7 1.0
6 1.6
73.5

9 0.1
63.7
6 8.9
6 0 .4
7 3.3

9 1 .1
6 5 .4
6 8.7
6 1.0
7 3.1

9 0.2
6 5.1
6 8 .2
6 1 .2
7 2.8

8 8.9
6 4 .4
6 9.2
6 3 .1
7 1.6

6 2 .3
5 0 .4

6 1.5
50.7

6 1 .2
5 0 .3

6 1.2
5 0 .4

6 2 .4
5 0 .3

6 2 .4
5 0.5

6 2 .4
5 0.5

6 1.8
5 0 .4

6 3 .2
5 0 .0

6 2.7
5 0.2

6 2.7
5 0.2

6 3.0
5 0 .4

6 2.9
5 0.5

4 2.7

4 2 .5

4 3 .2

4 4.2

4 4.0

4 3 .1

4 2.7

4 3.8

4 3 .0

4 2 .2

4 1 .0

4 1 .4

4 1 .0

4 7 .4
55.7

4 7.5
5 6 .6

4 7.6
5 6 .6

4 7 .4
5 6 .4

4 7.5
5 6.0

4 7.5
5 5.8

4 7 .6
5 5 .6

4 7 .3
5 5 .4

4 7 .2
5 5 .3

4 7.2
5 5 .1

4 7 .4
5 5.2

4 7 .2
5 5.3

4 7.3
5 5.0

6 6 .3
3 2.5

6 4 .8
3 2.2

6 5.0
3 2.2

6 5.0
3 2.2

6 5.2
32.5

6 5.5
3 2.6

65.5
32.7

6 5.9
3 2.8

6 6 .1
3 2.9

6 6.5
32.7

67.5
3 2.5

68.5
3 2.6

6 9.7
3 2.5

2 4.7
2 6.0
8 6 .8
7 4.9
3 4.3
15.7

24.7
2 5.9
8 7.7
7 5.3
33.7
15.6

24.7
2 5.9
8 7.5
74.5
3 3.8
15.7

24.7
2 5.9
8 7.5
7 4.4
33.9
15.7

2 4.3
2 5.6
8 6.9
7 4.1
3 3.9
15.7

2 4.1
2 5.5
8 6.9
74.3
3 3.9
15.7

2 4.1
25.5
8 7.0
74.2
3 3.9
15.7

2 4 .4
2 5.8
8 6 .3
7 4.0
3 4.0
15.7

2 4.7
2 6.0
8 6 .6
7 4.1
33.9
15.8

2 4.9
2 6.3
8 6 .2
7 5.0
3 4.2
15.8

2 5.0
2 6 .4
8 6 .4
7 6.1
3 4.8
15.8

2 5.1
2 6.4
8 6 .6
76.5
35.7
15.8

2 5 .1
2 6 .4
8 6.3
76.6
3 6.3
15.8

2 6.7
2 2.5
2 8 /1 3 .4

2 6.6
2 3 .1

2 6.6
2 2.6

26.6
2 2 .4

—

—

—

2 6 .4
2 2.2
13.9

2 6.5
2 1.9
13.6

2 6 .4
2 2 .1
13.5

2 6.6
2 2.0
13.3

2 6.7
2 2 .1
13.0

2 6.8
2 2.1
13.1

2 6.9
2 2.7
13.3

2 7.2
2 3 .0
13.3

2 6.9
2 3.3
13.4

2 0.0
2 2.9
2 8 /1 9 .7

19.9
22.7

19.9
2 2.8

19.9
22.7

—

—

—

19.8
2 2.8
19.6

19.7
2 3 .1
19.6

19.8
2 3.1
19.7

19.9
2 3.0
19.8

2 0.0
2 3.0
19.8

2 0.1
2 2.9
19.8

2 0.2
2 3.0
19.7

20.5
2 3.1
19.7

2 0.8
2 3.1
19.8

7 8 .4

on page 31.




May

29

Table 7.

Average R etail Prices of Principal Foods in the United States 2 /> by Month, 1959 and 1960— Continued
^/fn Cents j

1960
A r t ic l e o r group

A l l f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s —Con.
Fresh f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Fresh f r u i t s :
A p ples---------------------------------Bananas-------------------------------O ranges, s i z e 200-------------Lemons---------------------------------G r a p e fr u it , s i z e 64---------Peaches (J u ly - S e p t .) -------S tra w berries (A p r.-J u n e )G rapes, s e e d le s s (J u ly -N o v .)------ pound
Watermelons (J u n e-A u g .)- Fresh v e g e t a b le s :
P o ta to e s -----------------------------Swee t p o t a t o e s --------------------O nions---------------------------------C a rr o ts-------------------------------L e ttu ce , s i z e 60--------------C e le ry ---------------------------------Cabbage-------------------------------Tomatoes-----------------------------Beans, g reen ----------------------Canned f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Canned f r u i t s :
Orange j u i c e ----------------------- —46- o z . can
P ineapple ju ic e 2 7 /---------P eaches--------------------------------P in ea p p le ----------------------------F ru it c o c k t a i l ---------------------No. 303 can
Canned v e g e t a b le s :
Corn, cream s t y l e -------------- -No. 303 can
Peas, g reen ------------------------Tomatoes 2 2 /----------------------Tomato j u ic e 2 7 /---------------- —46- o z . can
Baby fo o d s --------------------------- -4%-5 ounces
D ried f r u i t s and v e g e t a b le s :
Prunes 2V-------------------------------D ried beans---------------------------Other food s a t home:
P a r t ia ll y prepared fo o d s :
Soup, t o m a t o - --— ------------------— 1 1 -o z. can
Beans w ith pork----------------------— 1 6 -o z. can
Condiments and sa u ces:
P ic k le s , s l i c e d ---------------------Catsup, tom ato-------- -------------B ev era g es:
C o f fe e ..............................................
C o ffe e 2 4 /.....................................
Tea b a g s--------------------------------package o f 16
Cola d r in k ------------------- ca rto n - 36 ounces
Fats and o i l s :
S h orten in g , hydrogenated----- — 3 - l b . can
M argarine, c o lo r e d 1 0 /--------Lard--------------- ------------------------- ...................do
Salad d r e s s in g ----------------------Peanut b u t t e r ------------------------Sugar and sw eets:
Sugar---------------------------------------Corn syrup------------------------------Grape J e l l y ----------------------------C h ocola te b a r-----------------------Eggs, Grade A, la rg e 2 5 /--------M iscellan eou s fo o d s :
G e la t in , fla v o r e d -----------------P otato ch ip s 2 7/ 3 7 /------------

A ver­
age

26
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

S ept.

O ct.

22.5
14.6
7 8.4
18.1
15.8
17.1
(* /)
32.9
4 .3

(2 1 /)
1 5.4
8 2.1
18.7
15.4
14.6
(* /)
23.5
3.7

15.4
15.8
8 4 .4
19.8
17.4
17.1
(* /)
21.9
(* /)

13.9
16.4
87.5

(± /)
(* /)
(* /)
(* /)

16.0
7 2 .4
17.9
15.4
(* /)
2 9.1
(* /)
7 .3

6 9.3

80.0

8 3.3
13.5

8 1.0
14.6

77.5
(2 1 /)

70.6
17.3

66.2

14.1
14.3
14.1
10.9
33.5
2 3.2

15.6
18.2
14.8
9 .0
3 0.6
20.7

15.8
16.3
13.4
8 .4

14.7
16.2
6 4.9
19.0

(* /)
(* /)
(* /)
< */)

(* /)
(* /)
(* /)
(i/)

71.8
3 5 /1 3 .7
9 .2
14.1
17.3
13.9
9 .5
31.6
2 5.3

6 5.6

8 .9
14.2
19.0
15.3
11.4
39.5
27.7

20.1
14.8
10.8

4 3.0
2 8 /3 3 .2
33.6
37.9
27.0

4 5.5

4 3.5

—

—

3 3.8
37.5
26.9

33.5
37.6
27.0

19.2
2 0.7
15.9
2 8 /3 2 .1

19.0
19.9
15.1

20.0

20.0

20.1

15.4

15.8

—

—

—

15.9
31.5

10.2

10.0 10.0

10.0

10.0 10.0

39.7
16.7

3 9.4
16.8

39.5
16.9

3 9.4
16.8

12.5
14.9

12.4
14.9

12.4
14.9

2 6.4

22.6

2 6.3
22.3

7 5.3
5 9.2
2 4.4
29.8

8 .4
12.9

Aug.

21.2

14.1
16.5
6 3 .4
19.1

68.6
12.6 12.8

July

17.9
15.3
6 9.0
18.3
14.0
(* /)
35.3
(* /)
(* /)

13.6
17.2
6 4 .4
19.5

12.2 12.1

June

16.1
15.3
6 9.0
18.4
12.5
£ /)
38.5
(i/)
(* /)

3 5 /1 6 .2
15.9
74.8
19.5
14.4
1 9 /1 6 .3
1 9 /3 4 .3
3 6 /2 5 .4
1 9 /5 .1

12.1

12.8
8.1

12.8

9 .1
12.5
17.1

10.1

10.0

12.7
17.7
14.3
9 .9
34.1
3 2.8

9 .8
3 9.4
27.3

13.0
17.1
13.5
12.3
39.0
27.9

4 3.0
—
33.5
37.7
27.0

4 2.8
34.2
33.6
37.7
26.9

4 2.3
3 4.4
33.6
37.8
2 7.0

4 2.3
3 4.4
33.5
37.8
27.0

18.9

19.0
2 0 .3
16.1
3 1.8

19.0
20.5
16.2
31.9

39.5
16.8

39.5
16.7

12.5
14.9

12.5
14.9

2 6.3
2 2.3

2 6 .4
2 2.3

76.1
5 9.6
2 4.3
29.3

7 5.4
5 9.6
2 4 .4
2 9.1

8 1.9
26.9
19.0
3 6.0
55.5

8 3.3
2 7 .4
18.4
36.6
55.5

5 8.2
26.7
2 8.8
5 .0
5 7.3
9 .3
2 8 /2 7 .3

12.6

10.2 10.1

Dec.

14.1
15.5
8 7 .1
2 1.3
14.3
(* /)
(* /)
24.8
(* /)

14.7
16.4
7 4.4
22.7
13.2
(i/)
(* /)
< * /)
(* /)

6 4 .4

66.8
13.1
8.6

14.3
16.5
13.4
7.8

14.3
18.9
13.3
7.9
24.5
25.2

6 7.9
13.7
8 .5
14.8
15.4

20.6
18.9
(* /)
(* /)
24.0
(* /)

12.8
8.6

12.8

8 .4
38.6
23.7

19.6

21.0

4 2 .4
33.1
33.7
38.0
2 7.1

4 2 .6
32.9
3 3.9
3 8.1
2 7.1

4 2 .4
32.6
3 3.5
3 8.2
2 7.1

42.5
32.5
33.5
38.1
2 7.0

4 2.8
32.3
3 3.6
38.3
2 7.0

4 3 .4
3 2.4
3 3.6
3 8.2
2 7.0

19.2

19.2

19.4

16.1
3 2.1

16.0
3 2.1

10.2

19.5
2 1.4
16.0
32.1
10.5

19.7
21.5
16.0
32.5
10.5

20.0
21.6

16.3
32.0

3 9.6
16.7

39.6
16.6

39.6
16.5

39.7
16.5

3 9.8
16.5

4 0 .2
16.5

4 0.7
16.7

12.5
14.8

12.5
14.9

12.5
14.8

12.5
14.8

12.4
14.9

12.4
14.8

12.4
14.9

12.4
14.8

2 6 .4
22.5

2 6 .4

26.6

22.6

2 6.4
22.7

2 6.4

22.6

2 6 .4
22.7

26.5
22.7

26.5
22.7

26.5
22.7

7 5.4
5 9.6
2 4.3
2 9.0

75.6
5 9.6
2 4.4
29.5

7 5.8
5 9.5
2 4 .4
29.7

75.7
5 9 .8
2 4 .4
2 9.9

76.2
6 0.0
24.5
3 0.0

74.9
5 8.1
24.5
30.1

74.7
5 7 .4
24.5
3 0.1

74.5
5 9 .0
24.5
30.2

74.6
5 9.2
24.5
3 0.2

7 4 .4
5 9.0
24.5
3 0.1

80.6
27.0
18.2
36.1
5 5 .4

8 0.8
26.9
18.1
35.9
5 5.3

8 1 .4
26.9
18.3
36.0
5 5.3

8 0 .4
26.7
18.4
36.0
5 5.3

79.7
26.7
18.5
35.9
5 5.5

8 0.6
26.7
18.8
3 6.1
5 5.6

8 1 .8
26.7
19.2
36.0
5 5 .6

82.7
26.9
19.7
3 5.9
5 5.6

8 2.8
26.9
19.7
35.9
5 5.5

8 4.1
2 7.0

8 4.9
2 7.1

3 6.0
5 5.5

3 6.0
5 5 .6

57.8
26.6
28.5
5 .1
5 1.1

57.3
26.6
28.7
5 .1
4 8.2

5 7.5
2 6.6
2 8.8
5 .1
4 9.5

5 7 .4
26.6
28.8
5 .1
5 5.8

5 7 .3
26.6
28.7
5 .1
52.9

5 7.2
2 6.6
28.6
5 .1
51.5

5 7 .4
26.6
28.7
5 .1
5 1.6

5 8.6
26.7
28.7
5 .1
5 6.2

5 9 .2
26.7
29.0
5 .1
6 3.0

5 9.4
26.7
28.9
5 .0
6 9.9

5 9 .4
26.7
2 8.9
4.7
6 9.3

5 9 .4
2 6.8
29.1
4 .6
6 9.1

9 .3

9 .3

9 .3

9 .2
2 7.3

9 .3
27.3

9 .3
2 7.4

9 .3
2 7.2

9 .3
2 7.3

9 .3
27.3

9 .3
27.2

9 .2
27.2

9 .3
2 7.3

18.8

18.7

30

22.6

10.0

21.1

14.3
9 .3
14.8
17.3
14.0
7.9
19.3

Nov.

22.0
21.6

3 7.4
33.0

See fo o t n o t e s on page 31.




May

20.8 21.0
10.0 10.1

21.2

20.0

16.1
32.6

10.6

20.2

Footnotes to table 7.
*/ Priced only in season.
i/ Except as indicated in footnotes, prices are averages for the 4 6 cities included in the Consumer Price Index.
Because of local variations in size and quality, averages may be based on fewer than 4 6 cities reporting comparable prices.
2/ 45 cities.
2 / 39
cities, January through May; 42 cities, June through December.
i j 30
cities, January; 29 cities, February through May; 27 cities, June through December.
$ J 16
cities, January; 17 cities, February through May; 19 cities, June through December.
6 / 37
cities, January through May, 4 6 cities, June through December.
2/ a cities.
8/ Prices published prior to January 1959 were for ”U.S. Choice” grade only. The United States and city prices now include
some prices estimated on the basis of "U.S. Good” grade. For comparable December 1958 prices for each of 20 large cities,
see Retail Food Prices by Cities. January 1959. p. 9.
2/ 43 cities, January through June; 44 cities, July through December.
10/ 44 cities.
32/ 42 cities.
12/ 34 cities, January through September; 33 cities, October through December.
12/ 43 cities.
14/ 44
cities, January through October; 45 cities, November and December.
15/ 43
cities, January through October; 44 cities, November; 45 cities December.
16/ 10-month average.
17/ Prices for £ gallon, beginning November 1959; comparable October 1959 price, 87.9. For comparable October 1959 prices for
each of 20 large cities, see Retail Food Prices by Cities. November 1959. p. 8.
18/ 44 cities, January through October; 43 cities, November and December.
19/ 3-month average.
20/ 4-month average.
21/ Insufficient quotations to publish average price.
22/ 36 cities.
23/ Specification changed from small, sweet, (midget), cucumber pickles, 7-J ounces, to fresh cucumber pickles, sliced cross
wise (”Bread and Butter Pickles”), 15 ounces, beginning January 1959.
7 jJ 39 cities.
25/ The United States average for eggs includes prices for all 4 6 cities. Prices are for Grade A, large eggs with the
following exceptions: Grade AA, large, in Seattle, beginning December 19535 Portland, Greg., beginning February 1954;
San Francisco, beginning May 1954; Los Angeles, beginning August 1959; and ungraded eggs in some small cities.
26/ Beginning in January I960, revised chain outlet weights were used in calculating average food prices, in accordance
with the Bureau*s established procedure for biennial revisions to keep the weighting factors up to date. For December 1959
average food prices for the United States and each of 20 large cities, comparable with January I960, see the special report,
Retail Food Prices bv Cities. December 1959 (Revised.)
22/ This is one of eight (8) new items included in the food component of the Consumer Price Index beginning in May I960.
Comparable April 1960 prices for each of 20 large cities appear in Retail Food Prices by Cities. May 1960. p. 8.
28/ 9-month average, including April price not included in index.
22/ 27 cities.
20/ 19 cities.
31/ 40 cities, April through June; 41 cities, July through December.
22/ 33 cities.
33/ 45 cities, January and February; 4 6 cities, March through December.
34/ Unit changed to jr pound beginning January I960; comparable December 1959 price 33.1. For comparable December 1959
prices for each of 20 large cities, see Retail Food Prices by Cities. January I960, p. 11.
35/ 11-month average.
36/ 5-month average.
37/ 45 cities, May and June; 4 6 cities, July through December.




31

Table fl.

Atlanta,
Ga.
i960

Article

1959
Cereals and bakery products:
Cereals:
Flour, wheat----------------------- -5 pounds
Biscuit mix— -------------------- -20 ounces
Macaroni—
-pound
C o m meal-------------------- --------- --do
Rice, short grain----------------------- do
Rice, long grain— ---------------------- do
Rolled oats----------------------- -18 ounces
Corn flakes-- ----- ------ --------- -12 ounces
Bakery products:
Bread-----------------------------------pound
Soda crackers--------------------------- do
Vanilla cookies------------------- — 7 ounces
Vanilla cookies-------------------- 12 ounces
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Meats:
Beef and veal:
Round steak b/----------------------- oound
Sirloin steak------------------------- do
Chuck roast b/------------------------ do
Rib roast b/-------------------------- do
Hamburger----------------------------- do
Veal cutlets-------------------- ------do
Pork:
Pork chops, center cut----------- — — pound
Pork roast, loin half----------------- do
Bacon, sliced------------------------- do
Ham, whole---------------------------- do
Lamb, leg— -------------------------------do
Other meats:
Frankfurters------------------------- pound
Luncheon meat------------------- 12-oz. can
Poultry, frying chickens:
Ready-to-cook------------------------ pound
Fish:
Fresh or frozen:
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen--------pound
Haddock, fillet, frozen-------- ■--- do
Cod, fillet, frozen----------------- do
Salmon, fresh or frozen------------- do
Halibut, fresh or fro as n------------ do
Sole, fillet, fresh or frozen-------do
Haddock, fillet, fresh----------- ---do
Sea trout, fresh, dressed---- ------ do
Canned:
Tuna fish, solid pack---------- ?-oz. can
Tuna fish, chunk style----- 6-6j-oz. can
Dairy products:
Milk, fresh, homog. vit. D (grocery)---- quart
Milk, fresh, homog. vit. D (delivered)--- do
Tee cream 13/----------------------------- pint
Ice cream----------------------------- \ gallon
Butter— -- ------------------ ------- ---— pound
Cheese, American process lb/------------ — do
Cheese, American process TU7— -----------------g pound
All fruits and vegetables:
Frozen fruits and vegetables:
Frozen fruits:
Strawberries ------- ----------------------------------- 10 ounces
Orange juice concentrate----- --— —
6 ounces
Lemonade concentrate---------------------------------- do
Frozen vegetables:
Peas, green ---------------------------------------------- 10 ounces
Beans, green---------------------------------------------- 9 ounces
Potatoes, french fried--------------------------- -do




Baltimore,
Md.
I960

1959

55.7
2 7 .2
—
7.2
1^.5
-— 20,1
3/ 2 6 .6

55.8
27.U
1/23.9
7.2
20.7
— —
22.8
26.6

53.8
27.3
— —
13. b

19.3
29.2
—

19 .U
29.2
___
35.0

18.7
28.7
23.7
___

35.3

109 .2
108.5
—
l/llll.O
68.14
65 08
87.8
87.8
53.6
5i.o
131.8
1 3 1 .0

1 B .b

—
20.1
2b.9

5U.8
2 7.3
1/22.7
~ 13.2
1 8 .1
—
21.2
25.3
20.1
28.7
23.8

lib.o
—
1/1 1 0 .5
66.5
6 1 .5
81.5 7/ 78.2
62.8 7/59.7
161.3 "163.3
1 1 5 .2

78.5
—
66.0
6 0.2
80.7

78,6
1/56.5
“ 65.6
59.1
76.5

60.h

6 0 .6
5o.b

6b.h

51.5
39.8

1*3.7
56.6
—
____
—

Boston,
Mass.
I960

1959

51.5
26.3
1/21.9
12.3

50.8
26.2
—
12.9
—

52.0
26.1*
1/23.2
12.9

20.5
19.8
3/25.1

20.5
21.1
25.5

(2/)
19.8
25.1

19.3
29.5
23.6
___

19.6
29.2
23.5
___

18.1*
28.7
26.7
___

23.b
30.9
2b. 7
—

99.0
97.1 5/105.5 5/101.1*
9b.9
95.9
—
—
1/1 0 8 .0
--- 1 5 /10b.7
1/109.1
6 3.8
62.7 5/ 6b. 3 5/60.5
61.7
61.3
85.8
81*. 2
85.7
83.3 5/92.1* 5/90.7
5U.o
52.b
51.3
51.7
57.9 ~ 53.2
136.0 7/1 2 9 .0 7/128.7 0/120.3 8/117.5
131.3

97.6 3/95.8
--- 1^/100.0
55.9
5 9 .T
77.8
80 .b
52.8
55.7
122.5 2/118.0

100. b
(2/)
6Z . 9
69.5
9 5 .0
95.9
52.8
, 1*9.3
139.9 9/H*2.2
10b. 5
—

65.U
1*9.1

61.9
51.3

6O 07
1*9.7

65.3
52.1

6b. 2
b9.6

65.7
51.9

65.6
50.6

58.1*
53.0

55.3
52.1

6b.b
50.5

6 0 .1
b9.5

60.5
5oJ*

58.3
b9,2

61.6
51.8

2 /6 0 .5

1 x 9 .2

bb.O

1*1*.1

38.7

39.2

1*1*.6

1*5.7

39.5

1*0.1*

39.0

39.1

1*1.1

1*2,2

b0.2

bl.2

b8.3

9/b8.6

—
—

___
—
1*7.7
___
___
_____

1*3.7
3/55.1*

1*3.9
52.0
___
___
___

1*7.1
58.7
—

b6.5
55.8
___

’*9.6
6l.l

5o J*
6 2 .8
-—
____

b9.b
6 1 .2

U6„7
—

b6.9
—
—
____

bb.9
57.b
_—
___

b3.6
53.9
—
— _

—
—
— —

—

___

1*9.3
57.9
—
____
—

_____
__ _
__

_____

—
_—

—

_____

_— _
___

___

— —
50.8

-__
l*9.»*

___

— —
__

—
—
--—
(2/)
9/71.8
--— ___

66.5
—
32.8

62.)*
____

66 „7
_— -

66.5
-_3 2 .6

6b ,9
-— -

31.5

62.5
—
33.2

60.9
_—

32.5

32.3

31.5

61.5
— -32.8

66.8
•— .
32.8

20.1
23.1

21.9
(2/)
7/3?.b

23.3
(2/)

22.8
2/2U.7

—

77.3
73.6

_____

22.2
7/2b.5
7/25.1
—
78,b
57.8

33.8
15.6

15. b

b9.3
7/56.7
~ ---

67.6

7/1*7.3
“ ___
—

2 6 .9

2 7.9 :il/26.320/28.4
2 7.0 '7/27.0
27.2
—
— -3/7/ 3 2 .6
-—
8U .0
91.1
7
6 .I4
76.7
8 0 .5
—
—-59.9
—
3b ,8
33.li
15.7
15.7
15.3

23.3
27.6
7/30.U
— 7b.8

21.3
23.8
1/19.9

22.9
31.0
2b.8
—

98.b
—
70.1
61.7
75.2

b 9 .1
9/57.7
“ — —

21 .b
23.7

19.6
29.2
2b.1
—

8 3 .I4
3/55.2
~ 59.6
,58.5
9/80,9

b3.9
9/52.2
—
____
—

20.1
21.8
1/19.5

1 8 ,7
2 9 .3
23.7
—

8 1 .0
—
6 0 .0
58.8
9/85.0

59.7
(10/)
—

1 p .6
21.6

17.0
29.1
2b.0
___

8 3 .0
1/ 6 0 .I*
“ 6)4.8
61.5
86.b

m.6

7/27.8
22.8
l/lb.l

16.8
29.2
2b .1
—

65.9
6 3 .0
89.1*

Ul.3

28.0
27.1

18.8
29.0
2b.6
—

65.2
27.b
1/ 23.8
“ lb.O
— —
22.1
23.9
28.1

83.1
—

bo.?

25.0
21.8
3/13.2

18.3
29.2
2b .6
___

63.b
27.3
—
13.8
—
22.0
21,6
3/26.8

85.2
l/6b.5
“ 65.)*
6 0 .8
76.0

7/614.9
7/38.1
—

—

10l*.0
10U.5
—
1/112.7
66.8 ” 61*.5
81*.5
8b. 9
57.0
57.3
11*1*.7
11*9.9

20.3
29.2
2b. b
—

5 0 .0
26.5
1/2U.1
12.8
16 . 8
— —
21.1
25.3

67.5
6b.2
77.0

60.9
(10/)
—

2)4.0
26.2

19.9
29.6
2b. 5
—

b9.3
26.6
—
12.7
17.5
—
19.5
3/25.2

85.5

65.o

32.7
15.3

18.7
28.3
—
35.7

11.9
— —
18 ,b
20.3
3/25.3

53.1
26.2
1/25.8
“ 12.0
---17.6
21.6
25.7

51.9
26.2
—

8b.3
3/61.0
6b.0
65.0
7 6.2

32.9

80.7

1 8 .0
28.5
___
36.1

51.5
26.5
1/23.8
“ 13.1
—
20.1
21.9
26.2

82.6
—
63.7
6b.6
77.5

33.b

—

18.9
2*.7
26.7
—

19.7
21.5
25.2

51.5
27.1
—
13.2
—
(2/)
20.b
25.7

Los Angeles,
Calif.
I960
1959

85.0
1/63.5
“ 69.9
61.9
8b. 3

6 0 .6
-—

—

20.9
2l*.9

53.6
27.3
V23.b
~ 12.5
—

Kansas City,
Mo.
I960

1959

68.8
61.6
85.3

____
___

26 . h
28.3

19.9
2l*o9

12.3
—
20.6
20.0
25.5

52.9
27 .b
—

Houston,
Texas
I960
1959

86.0
1/60.5
61*. 2
58.1*
70.1

6 h .’
*
U9.8

—

18.7
21.6
25.0

53.3
26.1*
1/2 3 .0
~ 12.8
20.3
—

Detroit,
Mich.
I960

1959

3/63.9
6o02
70.9

R9.5
—

___
____

—

Cleveland,
Ohio
I960

1959

86.6
1/6 3 .8
“ 65.li
62.6
72.8

50.8

—
-—
___
___

Cincinnati,
Ohio
I960

1959

52.1*
26.3
— —
12.9
21.1
—

8 9.6
91.2
126.9
127.5
—
—
i/iob.5
1,125.li
58.2
6/8 0 .3 “6/76.5
" 56.5
77.0
8 0 .1
8 1 .0
" 78J4
58.2
51*.8
58.1
52.9
122.1 3/123.3
122.9
128.9

67.7
65.5
77.0

—

Chicago,
111.
I960

1959

51.2
27.2
—
12.2
—

88.6
1/63.0
“ 66.6
66.8
76.3

87.1
—
67.5
6 6 .3
79.7

—

!

Annual Average Retail Prices o f r’rjncipa3 Foods by City, 1959 and I960
/In cents/

63.9

_____

31.9
lb.6

27 .b
23.9
—

19.6
23.5

3/82.5
—

___
—
_____
___
___

59.1

6 1 .6
39.0
—

3/59.8
“ — _
31.9

22.1*
22.3
2 6 .6
27.1*
--- 0/2^8.2
--—
97.6
7l*.6 3/7U.5
_____
“ 59.9
32.6
15.5
l5 ~ 3

27.3
2 1.2
1/1 3 .2
19.1*
22.9
1/19.1

3/21*.7
2t*.l*

"

—

18.7
22.2

83.7

_____

___
___

___
____

____
___

65.2
— 31.2

6 3 .2
_—
3b.b

67.b
— —
3b.2

21*.2
28.1
—

88.1
71*.6

2 3 .6
21*.0
7/28.8
~ ——

_____

77.1
59.2

33.’*
15.8

i5.o

_____

25.3
23.0
1/12.1*

2 7 .0
25.7

18.9
22.1
1/18.5

20.5
23.5

___
—
_____
__
____
61.9
33.b

2U.6
20.2
25.0
23.2
--- 2/7/29.1
-—90.1*
77.5
75.9
—
58.6
- —
3b.2
15.6
15.7

27.1*
22.3
l/lb.l
20.8
2b. 1
1/20.6

27.2
26.7
—

2 0 .5
2 3.1

— —
____

—

79.1
75.8
3b .2
16.0

27.8
23.5
1/13.6
20.5
2 3 .3
1/ 1 9 .6

—

7b 02
(2/)
15.7

28.2
2 6.8
—

20.6
2b. 6

___
—

3b.5
15.9

-__

23.8
26.5
7/31.5
—

82.6
62.2
—

15.2

___

—

2)*.l
20.5
22.)*
26.9
--- 2/2/27.b
95.6
82.7
7U.9
_____
56.0
-—3b .5
15.8
15.1

28.1
23.7
1/13.5

25.2
25.5
-—

3/13.1

'----

21.0
2b.9
1/20.5

19 .b
22.2

19.3
21.5
1/19.b

19.7
22.2

25.U

22.2

2b.2
23.b

-—
____

20 .b
22,8
—

y?6.b
7b.8

2b. 9
21.6
1/ 1 2 .I*
19.9
2 2 .6

1/18.9

M—

—

25.8
27.6

98.1
(2/)
67.9
59.2
7b.8

51.2

—

82.9
79.b
....

36.1
l6.b

26.7
23.7

—

l/n .3

19.1
21.8

19.1
22.3
1/19.3

Table 8. Annual Average Retail Prices of Principal Foods by City, 1959 and i 960—Continued
/in cents/

Article

Minneapolis,
. Winn,
zVl9^9
I960

Cereals and bakery products:
Cereals:
Flour-— — -------------------------- $ pounds
Biscuit mix---------------------- — ?0 ounces
Macaroni— -------- ------pound
Corn meal------ — — ----- ----— — — — do
Rice, short grain-- ---------- ---- -----do
Rice, long grain-----------------------do
Rolled oats--— - - - - - - — —
13 ounces
Corn flakes— — ---------------— 12 ounces
Bakery products:
Bread— — ---------------- — -------- — pound
Soda crackers---------------------------do
Vanilla cookies—
— —
-------- -7 ounces
Vanilla cookies— — — — ---- — — 12 ounces
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Meats:
Eeef and veal:
Round steak b/--------------- — — -pound
Sirloin steak-------------------------do
Chuck roast l*/----------—
---- — -do
Rib roast h/-"-------------- ----— ---do
Hamburger----------------------------- do
Veal cutlets---------------- — ---- — do
Pork:
Pork chops, center cut-- -----pound
Pork roast, loin half-------------- — do
Bacon, sliced-------— --------- ------do
Ham, whole---------------— — -------- do
Lamb, leg— ---- — — --- --------------- do
Other meats:
Frankfurters---------- ----- ---— — pound
Luncheon meat— — -------— — -12-os, can
Poultry, frying chickens:
Ready-to-cook----------------------- pound
Fish:
Fresh or frozen:
Ocean perch, fillet, frozen-------pound
Haddock, fillet, frozen— ---------- do
Cod, fillet, frozen---------------- do
Salmon, fresh or frozen— — -— -— — do
Halibut, fresh or frozen---------- -do
Sole, fillet, fresh or frozen------do
Haddock, fillet, fresh------------- do
Sea trout, fresh, dressed— ------- do
Canned:
Salmon, pink---------------- 16-oz. can
Tuna fish, solid pack-------- 7-oz. can
Tuna fish, chunk
style-6-6j-oz.can
Dairy products:
Milk, fresh, homog. vit„ D (grocery)---quart
Milk, fresh, homog„ vit„ D (delivered)— do
pint
Ice cream 13 / - -------------------Ice cream-------------1 gallon
Cheese, American process lit/------------do
Cheese, American process U*7---------- pound
Milk, evaporated----------------- llt^-oz. can
All fruits and vegetables:
Frozen fruits and vegetables:
Frozen fruits:
Strawberries-------------------- 10 ounces
Orange jvice concentrate-------- 6 ounces
Lemonade concentrate----------- — do
Frozen vegetables:
Peas, green--------------------- 10 ounces
Beans, g r e e n ------------------ — 9 ounces
Potatoes, french fried------------- do
Fresh fruits and vegetables:
Fresh fruits:
Apples----------- ------------ --— -pound
Bananas------------ ----- ------------ do
Oranges, size 200------------------- dozen
Lemons-------- --- -----_____— —
pound
Grapefruit, size 6l»—------------------each




New lork.i /
N.Y —
“ i960
T959

55.3
55.7
53.3
52.9
27.0
26.8
26.lt
25.7
— - 1/21*.8
—
1/21.6
13.0
12.2
12.2
12.9
--21.0
20.2
— —
19.U
18.7
22.U
21.0
20.8
19.5
25.6
25.3 y2U.6
2)*.7
22.8
23.8
2lt.lt

18.3
29.9
25.8

18. b
20.8
25.3

97.1
/ 9H
- 1/108.5
68.3
66.1
88.1*
87.9
55.o
51.1
127.3
125.1

21.5
29.1
21*.7

116.5
n6.9
—
1/105.5
62.3
59.7
77.1*
75.5
1*9.8
1*9.1
161.8
159.7

Philadelphia,
Pa .
1959""" I960

Pittsburgh,
Pi1.
I960

1959

Portland,
St. Louis,
Mo.
____ °reg«_____
I960
i960
1959
'1 /5 9

11.7
-— 19.6
19.1
25.3

5b .b
25.8
1/ 22.0
11.8
— —
18.6
20.3
2b.8

53.b
27.2
— —
12.8
18.9
-— 20.6
25.6

5b. 2
27.b
1/22.7
12.8
18.2
—
22.2
26.0

lb.2
— 2b.1
21.b
26.1

22.0
30.1*
21*.1

22,1
28.3
2b.2

19.5
30.1
2b.1

20.3
30.0
2b. 2
—

23.1
29.1
25.3
—

103.2
102.2
—
3/115.8
70.0
70.7
85.6
85.2
58.1
59.2
i5o.b
lbfl.9

107.b

52.3
26.1

123.8
123.0
-— - l/ll6.b
62.9
59.7
82.0
85.3
55.6
56.3
169.0
172.1

62.5
25.5

68.3
91.1
5b.9
(2/)

65.0i
25.b
1/ 26.8
“ 13.9
-—
2b.0
23.1
26.1

12.7
19.1
—
19.8
2b.8

52.3
27.1
l/2b.3
“ 12.6
18.8
— —
20.5
2b.9

23.1
29.1
25.3

18.3
29.0
23.1

18.3
28.8
22.9

10b. 8
103.1
102.b
I/IO6.7
(|/)
65.8
65.8 “ 61.2
81.b
89.3
79.5
55.8
b9.1 , 57.1
136.9
(2/) 7/138.1

51.1
27.1

San Francisco,
Calif.
I960
1959

6b.7
27.9

Scranton,
Pa.
i960

1959

50.8
27.5

6b.5
28.b
1/28.3
“ lb.b
___
2b.2
23.7
27.1

12. b
17.5
19.7
2lt.5

2b.9
29.5
2b. 9
“— -

25.9
29.3
25.0

20.8
28.0
2b.0
-— -

121.7

119.1
lAlb.7
2/60.3
92.3
5b.6
lb5.9

108.5

62.3
91.5
55.3
lbb.3

62.8
7b.5
59.2
139.2

lb'b
-__
2b.3
22.6
26.5

52.2
27.6
3/22.0
12.0
16.8

Seattle,
Wash.
1960
1959

ll.l

55.2
26 .b
1/22.3
“ 11.1

20.9
2b.7

2b. 5
22.0
26.8

21*.6
21 .b
21*.9
19.6
26.9 y2b.5

20.5
20.9
2b.3

20.9
28.2
2b.1
-— -

23.b
29.b
2b.b
“—

23.6
29.b
21*.2
— -

18.3
28.1
2b.1
—

19.1
28.1*
23.8
—

lib.8
10b.l 2/ll6.b
l/iob.7
3/110.0
59.8
66*5 , 66.2
89.6
7b.5
8p .9
53.0
b9.9
57.5
139.5
138.6 £/ibo.b

116.2

109.8
1/120.2
6l.O
83.8
52.9
166.5

57.b
26.5
13.8

O ul
— —
68.0
63.3
78.2

82.7
3/58.7
66,7
62.5
75.1

87.8
—
72.7
fit.2
71.1

89.6

91*c9

65.8
61.0
79.5

95.7
1/66.2
66.6
58.9
79.7

68.7
59.1
79.3

87.1
1/58.0
“ 66.3
57.6
79.1

63.2
7/59.1
“ 80.3

81.6
1/62.0
“ 63 .b
60,b
79.3

98.6
___
75.8
67.7
77.6

100.7
3/75. b
75.2
66.8
77.6

66.8
57.2
73.5

88.8
l/6b.9
“ 6b.6
55.8
71.b

2^89.1

73.1
61*.0
75.5

93.3
1/67.6
“ 70.6
62.8
7b. 2

91.7

68.5
62.7
70.0

6b.6
50.6

62.3
1*9.2

67.5
51.1

65.1
50.2

66.5
1*8.3

6b .b
b8.P

65.7
51.7

6b.2
b9.9

6b.6
50.2

60.8
1*9.7

61.3
50.9

58.8
5o.i

67.1
52.9

65.b
52.2

6b ,b
50.3

62.6
b9.3

!i2.6

1*2.2

1*1.5

1*3.0

1*3.0

U3.1

bl.b

bl.7

b9.7

5i.o

38.8

39.8

50,2

50,6

37.8

38.9

Itlt.O
57.6

1*1*.2
56.3
— —

1*8.5
58.6

1*8.2
56.8
--

1*2.6
5)4.1*
— —

b3.5
5i.o
— —
- -

b6.5
56.1
-—
.— -

b5.7
52.6
—
-—

___
—

—

7A7.2
“ 57.1
-—

1*5.8
5b .b
— —
—

55.7

9/58.1

b8.0
58.2
___

-III
-—
—

I—
_—
_— —

m i
—
—

::::
—
—
—

__ I
—
— —
—

—
—
—

—
•--—

62.0
(10/)
—

65.2
37.3
—

59.8

6 2.6

31.9

30.5

27.b

27.8
31.8

28.0
28.0
1/28.7

28.0
28.5

62.6

66.9

3b .0

32.8

17.8
18.7
(2/0

18.3
19.6

70.7
58.lt
16.0

/31e0
67/32.9
82,0^
69.7
75.3
_—
59.R
36.1*
— —
16.2
15.5

99.6
73.8
—
33.5
15.7

7b. 7
58.6
— —
15.1

86.9

(? /)3 /? M

o

7/79.9

5b.5
26.5

6b .6
86.5
56.1
166.9
90,5

91.1
3/6U.7
67.1
61.9
81.9

69.1
63.6
75.7

90.b
1/68.1
“ 68.6
61.9
73.9

6b.7
51.1

62.3
5o.b

62.7
U8.8

62.5
1*7.9

5b. 3

5b .0

bo.l*

bo.5

___

___

U6.5
57.0

b5.3
51.6

68’b
67.6
9 /8 2 *3

----

L*7.7
56.$
_____
—

90.8

97.6

—

-—
-— —

7b.2
—
—

78.0
—
—

-—
-—
—

-—
_—
—

68.1
....
—

67 .i
___
—

— —
— —

___
___
—

61.5

6b. 8

66.b

71.5

59.7

63.3

59.9

6b.7

60.2

fit.l

31.7

30.7

3b.0

3b.1

30.9

30.0

32.b

32.9

32.6

31.5

2b.0
26.8
19.3
23.5
22.8 J>7/25.2 28/25.6
27.6
7 /31.0
/7/ 31.6
9ft,1
~ * 3 »
78.7
73.9
79.5
79.5
__
60,8
53.5
__
33.9
36.9
15.8
15.6
16.3
lb.3

26.8
27.6

23 1
23.8
/2/36;l

23.9

25.8
27.7

27.1
28.2

9b .9*
72.5
_ _

73.1
58.6

7)4.3

76.2
5b.2

31.2
lb.6

lb.9

____

-—
—

-—
—
—

—
-— —

-—
-—
—

62.2

68.1

61.2

67.1

33.1

32.b

30.0

29.6

27.6
23.1
28.2 26/25.3
1/31.3
80.7
71.8
78.b
—
59.8
33.8
15.0
15.3

23.8
26.0

20.6
23.1
7/28.7

27.0
27.6
/7/32.U
91.6^
7b.9
78.3
—
60.0
33.2
— —
l5.o
15.3

87.2

59.1
26.3
1/23J*
“ 13.7

Washington.
D. C,
“1950
1959

9b.7
72.0 2/79.8
-— 57.8
~-_36.2
15.2
15 .b

—

—

___ _

_____

_____

—

35,1
15.7

15^3

89.3
75.2
33.9
15.5

26.1
25.6
26.lt
22.6
_ 1/12.5

26.?
25.0

26.8
21.6
3/ 13.6

2b.6
23.8
—

25.6
20.5
1/13.2

27.9
26.3
—

28.7
2b.1
1/13.9

2b .1
27.7
—

25.3
2b. 0
Vi3.e

7/26.3
25.7
—

26.b
22.5
1/13.3

27.9
29.2
—

29.3
26.5
l/l602

25.5
25.2

25.5
19.6
3/12.1

2b.7
27.1

25.3
23.7
l/lb.2

27.0
25.6

26.8
22.b
1/13.6

19.7
23.0

20.lt
22.9
I/19.I*

19.7
22.0
-

19.8
22.5
1/19.6

18.5
21.2
-- -

39.1
21.8
1/19.0

20 .b
23.2
—

21.0
23.8
1/20.3

19.7
21.9
—

19.8
21 .b
1/20.1

20.1
22.3
—

19,7
22.b
1/19.6

21.5
23.9

21.6
2b .0
1/21.0

18.7
22.0

18.3
22.0
3/18.7

19.1
22.0

19 .b
22,8
3/19.8

20.0
23.1

20.2
22.9
1/19.1

16.2
20.7
68.2
19.3
13.9

2/18.1
19.2
79.2
20.1
15.3

lit.3
15.7
70.8
19.1
13.9

7/16.3
11*.9
77.6
19.2
15.7

lb.7 7/17.0
I5.b “ lb.9
63.6
59.5
17 .b
18.7
i , 5 9/l3.b

13.0
16.9
63.6
18 .b
1 2.5

9/lb.6
" 15.7
73.1
19.5
13.6

13.9
19.5
69.3
18.b
1 6.6

17.0
18.5
8b.6
17.9
16.7

7/l5.b
“ 18.3
63.8
19.2
13.5

7/16.5
” 16.7
72.9
19.5
lb.5

lb .8
18.8
67.5
19.b
16.9

l6.b
17.9
71.2
20.1
15.7

11.5
i5.o
55.0
16.7
11.6

9/12.6
13.6
62.8
17.3
13.6

15.5
19.5
2^77.1
19.2
18.7

9/17.8
18.6
89.7
19.8
18.9

17.0
lb.3
16.0
lb .5
59.1 3/62.1
18.5 “ 20.1
13.8
11.7

Table 8 , Annual Average Retail Prices of Principal Foods by City, 1959 and i 960—Continued
/in cents/
Atlanta,
Ga.

~1959~ I I960
Fresh fruits and vegetables:
Fresh fruits:
Apples-------------- -----------------pound
Bananas--------------------------------- do
Oranges, size 200-------------------- -dozen
Lemons---------------------------pound
Grapefruit, size 6b-------------------- each
Peaches (July-Sept.)------------------ pound
c trawberries (Apr 0— June)--pint
Graces, seedless (July-Nov.)-----------pound
Watermelons (June-Aug.)----------------do
Fresh vegetables:
Potatoes-------------------------- 10 pormds
Sweetpotatoes---- -------- — --------- pound
Onions---------------------------------- do
Carrots--------------------------------- do
Lettuce, size 60----------------------- head
Celery--------------------------------- pound
Cabbage--------------------------------- do
Tomatoes--------------------------------do
Beans, green--------------------------- do
Canned fruits and vegetables:
Canned fruits:

Orange juice--------

b6-oz. can

9/15.5
“ lb.!

55.5
16.5
10 .b
15/16.3
IT/3b.O
17/23.7

7/ 17.5
13.9
61.5
17.1
11.0

W-A.l
W/llJ
15/3.9 1^3.3
60.b
13.2

Baltimore,
Md.
19fi0

1959

12.9
15.6
56.7
18.3
9/10.8
15/16.8
S / 36.9
17/25.0
T5A.8

17.6

16.8

12.8

12.0

9.3
29.5
21.6

31.6
22.b

59.1
11.0
1C.8
15.0
19.5
9/lb.6
“ 3.7
25./
22.8

b7.7

39.6

b8.7

11.2

lb.1

65.3

9/ 12.6

~ ?.b
13.7
9.3

66.3
9/9.9
9.1
lb.3
19.3
15.1
8.9
28.0
23.0

b2.l

lb.:

____ ---------------------

C/4 yUI.'UfJE
1 v«-___________________ ___ TO ~__~ ~

Choc 0X 3^6 barEggs, grade A, large---Miscellaneous foods:
Gelatin, flavored----Potato chips-----------




--------- dozen

56.8
27.2
25.li
5.2
52.6
9.5

57.0
27.3
26.9
5.1
56.8
9.61/29.8

Chicago,
111.
I960

1959

Cincinnati,
Ohio
I960

1959

Cleveland,
01iio
“I960

1959

Detrcit,
Mich.
I960

1959

15.8 9/18.b
(2/) 9/12.1 $/lb.7
12.8
13.8 9/15.1
lb.l 9/16.9
l)1.7
17.0
18.8 “ 17.6
13.2
18.0 ” 1 6.6
15.9
17.7 ” 1 6.6
61.6
66.2
61.8
72.6
73.2
75.3 3/68.5 V77.8
58.5
62.9
21.2 ” 19.2
20.1
17.8
20.6
18.7
20.3
17.7
20.5
19.1
13.b
13.2
13.0
lb.8
13.6
lb.l
13.0
13.b
lb.5
13.3
l5/lb.6 15/16.1 15/15.b 15/17.7 15/17.8 15/15.8 l5/lb.9 15/15.8 15/16.2 15/16.2
57/37.6 W 3 7 . 3 57/b2.6 W 3 b . 2 I5/b?.o lF/20.1 15/35.2 55/33.9 IF/bl.3 15/27.8
17/260b IF/27.7 W 27 ob W 2 7 . 6 15/26.3 15/27.8 17/26.8 15/27.b 18/27.6/1/130.0
l5/b.6 15/7.8 15/6.b “T5/6.0 15/6.0 ~I5/b.7 16/3.3 15/5.9 15/5.5 15/6.b

—
Pineapple juice--------------------- do
1/35.0
1/32.7
Peaches-------------------------- No. 2^ can
36.3 “ 3b.3
35.3 “ 33.7
Pineapple-------------------------- No. 2 can
36.8
35.0
37.0
38.5
Fruit cocktail------------------- No.303 can
27.8
27.6
27 .b
27.p
Canned vegetables:
Corn, cream style-------------- No. 303 can
19.6
18.6
18.7
19.7
Peas, green------------------------- do
2l.o
20.2
20.0
20.9
Tomatoes---------------------------- do
lb. 8
lb.8
15.0
—
Tomato juice---------------------- b6-oz. can
l/3b<>0
1/31.0
Baby foods----------------------b^-5 ounces
“ 10.5
10.7
10.5
Dried fruits and vegetables:
Prunes--------------------— pound
39.8
bo.o
bo.5
39 .b
Dried beans-— -----------■— do
18.2
16.6
16.9
18 .b
Other foods at home:
Partially prepared foods:
Soup, tomato— 11-oz. can
12.8
12.8
12.9
13.0
Beans with pork---------16-oz. can
15.0
15.0
lb.9
lb.9
Condiments and sauces:
Pickles, sliced 2l/----- --------- 15 ounces
26.6
27.0
26.5
26.9
Catsup, tomato----------- —
------------------------—
lb
ounces23.8
23.b
23.7
23.b
Beverages:
Coffee------------------- — -------- 1-lb. can
78.6
81.6
78.1
7/78.7
Tea bags----------------- ----- package of 16
2b. 8
" 2b.b
23.7
2b.b
Cola drink--------------- carton-— 36 ounces
2 3 .2
2b .0
2b.6
27.0
Fats and oils:
Shortening, hydrogenated- —
------------------------92.b
88.3 can 81.9
87.5 -3-lb.
Margarine, colored------ ------- -— .-- pound
25.6
25.2
30.2
28.5
Lard--------------------17.8
18 .b
17.7
18.3
Salad dressing-------35.0
3b.8
3b .1
37.1
Peanut butter------•--55.6
56.9
56.2
57 .b
Sugar and sweets:

vw* a
P.v*ar\a

Boston,
Mass.
I960
1959

78.3
15.0
9.1
13.3
16.7
12.8
9.6
35.7
27.2

62.8
13.b
12.5
15.9
19.6
13.2
11.0
3b. 3
2b.b

70.?
lb.7
1J .1
lb.9
18.5
12.5
11.2
3b.1
2b.5

b e .3

b3.6
1/35.5
3b.7 " 33.1
36.1
37.7
27.7
26.9

b?.e

—

—

bit.6
1/37.1
“ 3b.8
38.1
27.5

18.6
19.5
lb.9

19.2
22.2
16.2

10.3

17.2
21.7
lfl.b
l/33.b
“ 10.3

39.1
19.5

62.6
7/11.7
11.?
lb. 7
21.1
16.3
9.8
31.8
27.6

b7.2
—

35.2
35.2
27.5
17.7
21.6
15.7

66.8 3/71.7
11.1 * 13.9
8.9
10.9
lb. 3
13.8
20.8
18.1
17.0
lb.l
9.7
, 9.7
33.8 3/33.2
27.8 " 28.7
bb.8
1/33.0
“ 33.3
35.7
27.9

35.7
35.9
27.6

bO.7
17.5

bl.2
17.7

b0.2
17.9

12.0
lb.6

11.8
lb.b

12.3
15.1

12.1
15.2

26.b
22.1

25.1
21.1

25.3
21.3

27.5
21.3

27.b
21.6

76.8
22.3
25.8

75.1
23.1
26.2

76.b
23.8
26.5

7b.6
23.9
25.9

78.b
2b.7
28.6

75.2
2b. 5
7/30 „b

90.2
25.7
20.9
36.2
5b.5

82.7
2b.6
19 .b
35.7
53.9

3/83.3
3/28.2
,36.1
V5b.8

79.3
27.0
18.0
3b.6
5b.5

83.3
27.7
20.2
39.1
58.b

39.2
17.5

12.b
17.b

12.5
17.5

26.3
22.2

2 /1 9 .3

bl.9
1/33.9
” 33.0
37. b
27.0

b7.9
—
3b. 3
36.0
27.7

hl.b
1/35.0
32.2
37.2
26.8

18.6
20.3
lb.8

20.0
18.3
20.5
19.9
20.3
21.5
lb.9 20/26.6 20/27.3
—
1/29.6
1/32.1
10.2 “ io.5
“ 9.5

19.8
20.7
1 6.6

39.b
17.0

39.7
18.9

b9.7

b3.1
1/36.1
" 35.0
39.5
28.0

10.6

—

1 6.3
lb.9
8.3
29.6
25.5

65.6
13.5
12.0
13. A
16.6
lb.6
8.7
27.b
25.5

50.7

10.7

10.?

102.?
9/13.0
9.5

bb.8
1/35.7
" 35.2
39.3
27.5
19.0
20.8
16.8
1/32.9
“ 10.6

—

93.2
7/32.9
” 33.6
3b.2
18.3
15.5
8.2
27.b
27.0

50.6

19.b
20.6
17.3

—

lb. 6
17.2
67.9
19.1
10.8
15/18.2
53/30 .b
W 2b.fi
15/5.5

V?8.6
?/lb.l
“ 10.1
lb. 9
17.9
12.6
9.9
3b.6
27.0

18.7
21.9
16.9
1/32.0
“ 10.7

18.5
19.7
15.1
1/31.7
“ 10.3

9/ 20.0
“ lb. 6
8?..b
19.6
lb.7
15/21.0
15/38.6
T7/25.b
15/3.9

65.2
?/lb.1
“ 12.6
15.5
19.9
13.9
9.6
3b.2
27.1

36.9
37.9
29.0

Los Angeles,
Calif.
I960
1959

19.1
15.8
7b.1
19.0
lb. 6
15/22.5
15/32.7
37/25.6
15/2.6

73.8
lb.b
10.1
15.7
18.8
15.2
1C.0
37.2
26.b

36.5
37.1
28.6

Kansas City,
Mo
I960
' 1959

7/lb.7
16.2
82.2
20.0
lb. 5
15/15.9
W 29.9
17/28.9
15/5-7

66.0
lb.l
11.9
15.5
19.0
13.9
9.9
36.0
26.3

—

Houston,
Texas
I960
1959

—

35.0
35.6
27.7

l' i.p

7/15.6
” 1 6.6
3/79.0
18.9
12. 3
15/17.6
15/33.1
17/2b.8
15/5.2
3/7U.6
2 /lh .l

9.0
13.3
16.0
13.6
8.b
28.8
25.0

16.5
18.6
62.9
18 .b
13.7
1^19.3
15/28.8
15/20.2
l5/b.6

18.5
17.5
2 / 7b.7

18*7
13.7
15/19.1
15/31.3
17/20.1
“S/5.2

89.9 9/lob.b
17.0 “9/19.9
10.1 “ 7.6
12.8
7/11.9
lb.8
15.3
11 .b
11.9
8.2
8.3
25.8
29.1
31.6
31.5

57.?
33.b
3b.8
26.2

50 .b
l/30.b
“ 31.0
36.7
25.7

19.9
19.7
lb.O

10.5

19.b
21.1
16.8
1/33.8
10.2

9.5

19.8
20.6
lb.3
1/33.7
" 9.5

bi.5
16.8

b3.b
17.9

b2.7
17.7

39 .b
17.9

39.2
16.2

b0.2
lb.2

bO.8
lb. 3

38.0
17.b

37.8
16 .b

12.6
15.3

12.5
lb.9

12.8
15.0

12.9
lb. 9

12.6
lb. 2

12.8
lb. 5

12.1
lb. 6

12.1
lbo7

12.6
15.5

12.6
15.6

27.1
23.1;

27.9
23.b

26.9
25.b

26.6
2b.9

25.b
21.6

25.1
21.5

26.8
2b. 2

27.0
2b.5

26.1
20.0

26.8
21.0

80.8
23.8
9/27.8

78.5
2b.1
26.6

77.3
25.6
32.1

73,9
25.b
32.5

76.7
25.2
23.b

7b .0
25.1
22.3

76.2
25.2
2b. 6

72.7
25.3
26.6

79.5
25.2
32.8

77.2
25.3
3b. 6

76.6
26.9
20.b
38.0
58.0

87.8
28.7
23.3
37.6
5b.5

81.3
27.3
22.7
35.3
5b.3

82.3
27.7
19.b
bO.O
59.1

78.6
26.5
19.0
38.6
58.7

8b.6
27.7
20.0
37.9
52.8

79.6
26.0
19.3
35.7
53.1

87.3
25.8
18.0
37.6
55.b

80.7
25.0
17.7
36.5
55.3

95.6
27.8
23.O
be.8
57.9

87.7
26.9
21.5
39.2
58.0

58.2
27.b
29.1
5.1

60.9
27.6
29.3
, 5.0
22/55.9

—

—

9.3

56.3
26.7
27.0
5.3
56.7

58.0
27.0
28.3
5.2
61.5

55.3
25.9
26.8
5.1
59.0

56.7
26.1
27.3
5.0
65.9

56.5
25.3
27.b
5.0
b9.7

56.5
25.b
28.3
b.9
55.1

57.3
2b. 3
28.6
5.1
51.b

58.9
2b .b
28.1
5.0
55.7

59.0
25.6
28.6
5.2
55.1

60.b
25.8
29.1
5.0
60.1

57.0
26.2
29.7
5.3
52.2

57.8
26.2
29.7
5.2
56.1

52.0
25.7
28.1
5.1
57 oU

52.6
25.8
28.0
5.0
59.8

56.5
2b.5
29.0
5.1
b7.7

56.3
2b.7
29.8
5*o
52.b

9.2

9.5
l/2b.2

8.8

9.1
l/2b.8

9.0

9.2
1/27.5

9.0

8.9
1/31.7

9.3

9.b
1/29.3

9.8

9.8
1/27.8

9.5

9.5
1/26.5

9.0

8.9
1/ 26.3

(ia/)
?<>7

9.7
V 29.O




Table 8, Annual Average Retail Prices of Principal Foods by City, 1959 and i 960 —Continued
/Tn cents/
Minneapolis,
Minn. 23/
^ 1 9 5 9 | i960

' YorkA, !
N.Y. % /
19^9
>9 T 1960

Philadelphia,
1959

I960"

Pittsburgh,
Pa.
r i9 6 0

1959

Portland,
Oreg.
l9%9 T I960

Peaches (July-Sept.)—— — -pound
15/17.3 15/16.2 15/16.5 15/15.7 15/ 16.2 15/15.5 15/18.9
Strawberries (Apr.-June)---- ----- -pint
W 36.9 W P - 2 W 3 8 .0 15/32.5 15/39.3 15/29.1
Grapes, seedless (July-Nov.)------ pound
17/28.2 W 2 8 .0 18/28.U TH/27.5 TF/25.3 T 8 /2 2 .1
Watermelons (June-Aug.)----------- do
% % i
1 5 /5 .7 “1 5/6.7 "T5/5.9 1 5 /5 .9 1 5 /5 .1 “S A . 9
Fresh vegetables:
Potatoes— — ----— — ---- --- 10 pounds
66.8
63.2
73.lt
60.0
5U.8
63.3
67.3
56.7
Sweetpotatoes--- ------------- — pound
llt.o
12.U £/ll.6
11.5 2/ n .u
12.5 7/17.6
11.2
11.6
Onions--- ----------------- — ---- do
11.2
9.6
9.3
7.9
9.9
s a
Carrots-------------------------- do
llt.l
13.6
lU.8
lit.5
1U.9
15.1
15.7
lit. 7
Lettuce, size 60—
— — — -— ------ head
20.1
19.2
19.8
lR.lt
18.9
19.3
18 .U
15 M
Celery--------------- --------- — pound
llt.o
Ut.O
15.U
13.9
llt.9
15.9
15.3
13.3
Cabbage— ----------------------- -do
9.6
9.6
9.0
11.2
8.7
9.5
10.5
9.3
Tomatoes— — -------------------- -do
80.2
35.8
29.9
29.8
29.7
28.8
31.8
3U.3
Beans, green— — — — ------- — — do
26.3
25.2
(2 /)
26.8
25.9
2lt.9
27.7
(2/)
Canned fruits and vegetables:
Canned fruits:
Orange Juice— -----------— U6-oz. can
)t7.0
52.3
1*1.1
lt5.it
U5.9
19.5
55.1
Ul.9
1*8.9
Pineapple juice---------- ----- do
1/36.3
1/3U.1
30.3
1/31.1*
Peaches-------------------- No, 2| can
3 6 .$
32.lt
3U.7
35.7 “ 3U.1
37.6
35.2
Pineapple— — ------ ------ — No. 2 can
36.8
37.7
38.7
35.1
36.1
3U.5
36.2
35.7
37. U
Fruit cocktail------------- No. 303 can
28.2
27.6
26.6
27.7
26.9
27.2
28.3
26.9
27.3
Canned vegetables:
Corn, cream style—
— --- — No. 303 can
18.5
19.0
19.1
18.9
19.0
1 7 .°
18.3
17.5
19.9
Peas, green-- -— — — — — ----- do
20.2
20.9
20.1
19.8
20 . 1* 19.6
20.2
19.6
2 0 .U
Tomatoes-— -------------- ----- do
17.0
15.8
15.9
17.2
15.9
16.5
16.7 20/27.9
16.7
Tomato juice— —
------ — 1(6-02. can
3/32.1
1/3U.1
1/33.0
1/31.1
Baby foods--------------- — k £ ~ $ ounces
- 10.0
10.3 ~ 10.1
” 1 0 .0
11.1
Dried fruits and vegetables:
Prunes— — --- ---- ------ — — -— — pound
lt0.8
38.0
l»0.2
U0.8
la .3
37.2
37.9
37 .U
Ul.l
Dried beans— ------------------- — do
18.0
16.2
1 8 .0
17.7
17.lt
lU.8
16.0
17.5
19.7
Other foods at home:
Partially prepared foods:
Soup, tomato-— — — --— --- -11-oz. can
12.0
12.2
12.It
12.0
11.9
12.6
12.6
11.9
12.5
Beans with pork— ---- — ----- l6-oz. can
15.2
lit.6
lit.2
15.8
llt.l
llt.U
35.6
15.0
15.6
Condiments and sauces:
Pickles, sliced 21/ — ----1$ ounces
26.2
26.1
26.8
26.7
25.8
25.5
25.7
25.9
25.9
Catsup, tomato----------------- lit ounces
22.1
2it.O
2>t.O
22.1
20.8
21.1
2lt.O
2U.3
23.9
Beverages:
Coffee----- -—
------- -— -— -1-lb. can
78.2
75.6
77.6
75.0
80.6
79.1
75.1
77 .U
78.3
Tea bags------------------ package of 16
25.2
25.0
2U.6
23.1
23.2
2U.3
2lt.2
2U.lt
2U.5
Cola drink----------- carton - 36 ounces
30.2
30.2
33.7
3U.2
25.U
27.5
311.1
3U.1
33.3
Fats and oils:
Shortening, hydrogenated--------3-lb. can
86.7
85.2
81.0
81 .U
77.9
89.0
88.5
79.1
89.3
Margarine, colored---- -------pound29/U5.0 2V U t.9
28.1
26.8
29.1
26.U
26.7
2U.7
29.3
Lard----- ---- — — — ---------- —
do
16.8
18.7
2 2 .2
19.lt
20. U
18.7
18.5
19.1
23.7
Salad dressing----- — ------------- -pint
36.0
3lt.8
37.1
35.7
38. r
3U.9
36.9
35.9
38.3
Peanut butter-----------pound
5U.6
52.8
5U.1
53.7
55.8
53.3
56.2
59.0
53.1
Sugar and sweets:
Sugar---------------------------5 pounds
5 8 .6
58.9
55.1
61*.3
59.0
51*.7
56.7
55.3
60.9
2lt ounces
Corn syrup---- -----25.6
25.6
27.3
2 7 .6
27.5
25.5
25.3
27.1
27.3
Grape jelly-................... 12 ounces
30.8
28.6
30.5
2lt.9
29.8
30.0
25.1
25.7
25.3
Chocolate b a r ------------------ 1 ounce
5.0
5.1
5.3
5.3
5.0
5.0
5.1
U.9
U.9
Eggs, grade A, large----------------- dozen
lilt.6
63. It
1*9.5
59.0
62.6 22/53.6
60.3
63.5
58.7
Miscellaneous foods:
Gelatin, flavored— -----— — — 3—U ounces
9.0
9.5
9.8
9.6
9-1*
9.5
9.8
, 9.0
/
Potato chips-— ------— ------- --It ounces
V 2 6 .7
l/2lt.lt
1/ 25.8
3/2lt.5

m

2.3

1/ 9-month average, including April comparable price, not included in index.
This is one of 8 new items included in the food component of the Consumer
Price Index beginning in May I960.
2/ Insufficient quotations to publish average price.
2/ Partly estimated.
4/ Prices published prior to January 1959 were for "U.S. Choice" grade only.
The United States and city prices now include some prices estimated on the
basis of "U.S. Good" grade. For comparable December 1958 prices for each of
20 large cities, see Retail Food Prices by Cities. January 1959. p. 9.
2/ Includes prices for baby beef.
6/ Boneless; bone-in in other cities.
2/ 10-month average.
8/ Includes "U.S. Good" grade cubed veal cutlets.
2/ 11-month average.
10/ Not available. Prices not comparable throughout the year.
11/ Nonhomogenized, without vitamin D.
12/ Specification changed to homogenized milk, with vitamin D added, March I960.
12/ Unit changed from pint to £ gallon, November 1959. For comparable October
1959 prices, see Retail Food Prices bv Cities. November 1959. p. 8.
14 / Unit changed from pound to •£ pound, January I960. For comparable December
1959 prices, see Retail Food Prices bv Cities. January I960, p. 11.

33I5

St. Louis,
Mo.
19^9 TT960
15/16.3
W 2 9 .5
2/21*.6

W ,1 9 -*

I V 32.1
W 2 1 .5

1 5 A .6

T_5/5.6
5 /' '

82.1
13 '
9.7
1U.3
18.1
1U.9
9.7
29.8
26.1

71.9
2/18.U
9.2
13.5
15.5
13.9
10.0
31.3
(2 /)
U5.5
1/ 30.1
“ 32.3
36.6
25.9

U8.6

19.8
20.0
20/28.3
V 30 .5
9.9

18.9
1 / . 19.3
1/ 16.0

39.5
18.9

39.5
15.8

39.3
15.2

13.1
15.1

11.9
1U.U

26.3
23.6
7U.2
2U.7
3U.3
83.0
28.U
19.8
35.8
58.3
65.1
27.8
30.7
U.8
22/56.7
9.7
3/30.9

5.9
36.8
29.1

Ul.3
1/36.0
32.3
37.6
27 .U

San Francisco,
Calif.
1.1 2*0.

i
&S %

Scranton,
Pa.
1 i960"

3-959

'18.7 15/1U.6
W 2 7 .3
W 2 U .1
1 ^ 5 .3

76.2
87.7
17.6 £^20.3
L0.9
8.3
lU.7
,u
18.7
17.3
11.5
11.9
8.7
8.9
30.6
26.7
33.2 £ 0 2 .9

58.6
10.5
10.2
13.5
16.9
11.7
8.6
28.3
2U.8

57.9

U6.7

33.U
37.0
26.9

31.U
37.9
25.5

Seattle,
Wash.
19^9 I I960"

Washington,
D, C.
1959 | I960

15/20.7
B /3 0 .5
33/23.8

'1U.0

1 5 /6 .3

" 2 /5 .0

2/6U

71.1
12.0
9.0
12 .U

1U.7
lU.2
13.2

18.0
2/12.9
8.7
32.7
23.7

10. u

2/ 31 ,U
(2/)

,1*8.1*
2/3 1 .1
31.U
36.8
26.5

U6.9

19.8
17.119.2
19.8
19.7
20.3
1U.7 2^ 28 . r 20/28.6

19.1
19.1
1U.3

37.5
1/31.2
36.3 “ 33.1
36.1
36.9
26.6
27 .U

5U.1

5.2
3U.3
26.6

5.3
36.0
27.2

39.1
i/3 2 .1
32.5
37.2
2 7 .2

18.1
20.6
20.U
20.8
19.8
21.5
15.9 20/ 26.6 20/26.9
1/32.7
1/3 0.5
10.0
10.2
10.0

18.1
19.8
lit. 5

U0.2
19.9

9/h0.7

38.6
17.U

39.0
20.7

39.9
20.3

U0.3
17.1

U0.3

19.1*

Uo.U
18.6

11.1
lU.U

13.3
16.0

13.3
16.1

12.1
lU.U

12.1

11.9

lU.l

15.2

11.9
15.2

12.5
1U.0

12.6
lU.2

27.9
22.3

27 .U
22.0

26.3
19.5

26.7
19.6

26.1
23.3

25.U

26.3
2U.8

25.3
25.0

26.3

25.U
23.0

78.8
25.0
22.8

76.1*
2U.7
23.6

81.1
2U.8
36.U

75.6
2U.9
36.2

77.3
23.2
28.0

75.3

77 JU
2U.7
36.0

7U.8

79.7

2U.5

25.1
25.5

7/85.5

80.5
25.7
18.5
36.2
57.3

100.0
30.0
27.3
U1.7
58.9

92.7
28.8
25.9
U0.2
58.8

86.3
26.8
17.7
35.8
5U.7

79.8
2U.3
16.9
33.6

87.1
28.!
25.3
39.2
56.6

80.9
28.7
2U.3
38.2

58.0
60.0
55.9
2U.8
28.8
28.5
29.5
32.3
33.3
5.1
5.5
55 ' 22/5U.O 22/55.2

57.0
27.2
26.6
5.1
55.7

57.7

9.0

/ 9 *2
1/ 23.8

9.5

V 26.0
19.7
37.9

56.7
56.5
25.1
29.8
5.2
52.0

,9.5
1/ 28.8

9.6

/ 9 *3
1/29.0

1/ 29.6

1/ 30.8

"

9.9

23.3
23.3
28.0

55.8

9.6

36.2

55.6

60.1
59.3
26.6
28.8
29.1
26.0
27.9
29.9
5.0
5.0
/ s*1
60.0 2^55.3 22/58.3

9.U

15/ 3-month average.
16/ 2-month average.
17/ 5-month average.
18/ 4-month average.
19/ Revised.
20/ Solid pack, extra standard grade, No.
can.
21/ Specification changed from small, sweet cucumber or midget pickles, 7£ ounces, to
cucumber pickles, sliced crosswise, fresh packed, may be called "bread and butter" pickles,
15 ounces, January 1959. For comparable December 1958 prices for each of 20 large cities,
see Retail Food Prices bv Cities. January 1959. p. 9.
2 2 7 Grade AA, large eggs.
23 / Minneapolis-St. Paul.
24/ New York-Northeastern New Jersey.
21/ 11-month average. Prices were not available in March because of a clerks' strike in
the majority of food stores.
26/ Revised. Revised 1958 average, 24.9. Average prices from September 1958 through
September 1959 adjusted on basis of additional information received regarding quantity
discounts.
22/ Effective September 1959, price included estimated share of delivery charges.
28/ Includes estimated share of delivery charges.
29/ Uncolored margarine.

/ 9.U

2/30.2

2 2 .U

8 8 .2

28.5
1 8 .1

36.0
5U.5

56.U
26.1

26.2
5.1
60.2

9.5

19.0
2 0.0

1U.6
1/3 2 .2
10.1

16.5

75.7
25.0
29.2
81.7
26.9
17.3
3U.2
5U.2
57.8
26.2
27.5
5.0
65.3
, 9‘7
1/27.9

Table 9.

Estimated Worktime Required To Buy Certain Food Items,
September 1953 and September 1960

Food item

White flour-------------- — --White wheat bread-------------Rice, short grain— -— — — ---Beef:
Round steak (best grade)----Chuck roast (best grade)----Hamburger (ground beef)---— —
Pork:
Chops, center cut------- — — Bacon, (sliced, best grade)-Ham (whole, smoked) — — -— -Fish:
Frozen fillet of haddock---- Canned salmon, pink— — ----— Chickens, frying (ready-to-cook)
Butter------------------------Oleomargarine (colored)--— ---Lard— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Cheese (American cheddar)—
— Fresh milk (at grocery store)-Eggs (large, Grade A)— --- -— —
Oranges (size, approximately
5 pounds per dozen) — -- — —
Potatoes----------------------Cabbage---- — ----- -----— -— —
Dried beans—
— — —
— — — —
Dried prunes (large)— --------Canned tomatoes-— -- - - - - — --Sugar--------- ---------------Coffee (can)---- — — ----- — —

Quantity

Average retail
price 1/
September
1960
1953

Minutes required
to earn each
article 2/
September
I960
1953

1 pound
1 pound
1 pound

$0,111
.206
.185

$0,104
.167
3/.206

3
5
5

4
6
7

1 pound
1 pound
1 pound

1.048
.599
.517

.944
.534
.432

27
16
13

32
18
15

1 pound
1 pound
1 pound

.901
.689
.604

.888
.891
.727

24
18
16

30
30
25

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

pound
pound
pound
pound
pound
pound
pound
quart
dozen

.551
.665
.422
.750
.269
.197
.684
.249
.630

.489
.526
.478
.783
.292
.341
.594
.225
.778

14
17
11
20
7
5
18
6
16

17
18
16
26
10
12
20
8
26

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

dozen
pound
pound
pound
pound
pound
pound
pound

.844
.066
.079
.165
.397
.160
.118
.747

.515
.046
.071
.176
(4/)
(5/)
.106
(5/)

22
2
2
4
10
4
3
19

17
2
2
6
<4/>
(5/)
4
<5/>

If Average United States prices for 46 cities.
2/ Based on average hourly earnings of production workers in manufacturing
industries in September 1960 of $2.30 per hour, including overtime, and $1.78
in September 1953, including overtime.
3/ Short and long grain.
4/ Not available.
5/ Not comparable.




36

APPENDIX:

The Retail Food Price Index

A Brief Description of the Retail Food Price Index

The retail food price index, a component of the Consumer Price Index, measures average
changes from time to time in retail prices of a fixed list of foods of constant quantity and
quality, bought by wage-earner and clerical-worker families in cities of all sizes in conti­
nental United States. This conforms with the general purpose of the Consumer Price Index to
measure changes over time in the purchase price of a fixed list of goods and services. The
index is not designed to measure how much more it costs to live in one city than in another.
Retail food prices were first collected in 1903, when the Bureau's representatives
obtained prices for the years 1890 through 1903 from grocers' records. In 1903, 30 foods
were priced in 171 representative cities in 33 States. Since then, changes have been made
in the lists of foods and in the number of cities, with the number of foods varying between
16 and 90 and the number of cities between 39 and 171. The base period, collection and
computation methods, and techniques have also changed from time to time.
The current retail food price index, which comprised 28.5 percent 26/ of the weight of
items in the Consumer Price Index in December 1960, has been published monthly since January
1953 in its present form, but as an essentially comparable and continuous series with earlier
indexes back to 1913.
Index Base Period
The current index base period is 1947-49, as recommended by the Division of Statistical
Standards of the Bureau of the Budget for all Government general-purpose index series.
Factors for converting former food price indexes to the current base period are given in
Retail Prices of Food 1955-56, (BLS Bull. 1217, appendix table C, p. 37). Indexes for major
subgroups are shown from 1923 to 1956 and for all foods from 1913 in summary tables 3 and 4
of Bulletin 1217.
Sample of Cities
Prices currently are collected in 46 cities, selected to represent the 3,000 towns,
cities, and suburbs of the United States which range in population from small cities of
2,500 people to New York City, with nearly 8 million people.
The 46 cities included in the Consumer Price Index and in the United States prices
and indexes in this report include 20 large cities for which city data are published and 26
medium-size and small cities for which city data are not published.

26/ See table A for the relative importance of individual foods in the retail food price
index.




37

The 20 cities for which prices and indexes are shown separately are:
Atlanta, Ga.
Baltimore, Md.
Boston, Mass.
Chicago, 111.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Detroit, Mich.

Houston, Tex.
Kansas City, Mo.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
New York-Northeastern New Jersey
Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Portland, Oreg.
St. Louis, Mo.
San Francisco, Calif.
Scranton, Pa.
Seattle, Wash.
Washington, D.C.

The 26 cities for which prices and indexes are not shown separately are:
Anna. 111.
Camden, Ark.
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W. Va.
Evansville, Ind.
Garrett, Ind.
Glendale, Ariz.
Grand Forks, N. Dak.
Grand Island, Nebr.

Huntington, W. Va.Ashland, Ky.
Laconia, N. H.
Lodi, Calif.
Lynchburg, Va.
Madill, Okla.
Madison, Wis.
Middlesboro, Ky.
Middletown, Conn.

Newark, Ohio
Pulaski, Va.
Ravenna, Ohio
Rawlins, Wyo.
San Jose, Calif.
Sandpoint, Idaho
Shawnee, Okla.
Shenandoah, Iowa
Youngstown, Ohio

Food At Home
Collection of Prices. Retail prices of approximately 90 foods are collected monthly
by the Bureau's field representatives from a sample of chain and independent food outlets in
the 46 cities included in the Consumer Price Index. Prices are obtained from grocers by
personal interviews in the place of business, collected simultaneously in all cities. Prior
to February 1960, prices were obtained during the first 3 days of the week containing the
15th of the month. Beginning with February 1960, prices have been collected on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday of a specified week, usually that preceding the 15th day of the
month. This shift in pricing days was introduced gradually. Concurrently, the rules for
acceptability of sales prices were changed. Formerly, sales prices were accepted only if
the sale was in effect 1 week or longer. Under the new procedure, restrictions on sales
prices were removed. Prices obtained are those prevailing on the day of the field represent­
ative's visit. Weekend prices are included in the calculations for stores priced on Thurs­
days and first-of-the-week prices for stores priced on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A special
count in June 1960 revealed that about one-fourth of the total number of stores in the sample
(two-thirds of the chains and 18 percent of the independents), representing about half the
total sample by weight, were priced on Thursdays and about three-fourths of the number of
stores, representing about half the weight, were priced earlier in the week.
Preliminary to this change, experimental surveys had been conducted in 1956 and 1957
to obtain data on end-of-week specials. 27/ These studies indicated that, although weekend
specials were more prevalent in chain stores than independent stores, only a small propor­
tion of the total number of quotations obtained represented weekend sale prices. The inclu­
sion of weekend specials, therefore, has probably had little effect on the subsequent move­
ment of the food index.
No allowances for the value of trading stamps as related to the prices of foods are
reflected in the Consumer Price Index, since it is difficult to measure their exact impact
by statistical means. Trading stamps, like other special sales techniques such as tie-in
sales, cannot be measured quantitatively, since exact information is not available on the
27/ See monthly reports, Retail Food Prices by Cities, August, September, and October 1956
issues and January, February, April, July, August, and October 1957 issues.




38

proportion of customers who redeem stamps and how soon they are redeemed or on appropriate
values for the premiums obtained. 28/
Precise specifications are established to define the type, quality, and size for each
food item priced, to insure a meaningful average price, and to avoid movement of the index
because of shifts in the quality or quantity priced from one period to the next. 29/ City
and outlet deviations are provided to allow for city and regional differences in grades,
types, etc. Within the quality range of each specification, the Bureau's representatives
are instructed to secure a price for the type, brand, size, etc., sold in greatest volume in
each 8tore at the time of instituting the pricing and to continue to price the same item so
long as it is sold in quantity.
Differences in food habits among the populations of the various cities contribute to
price differences from place to place. A brand or kind of food widely used in one city may
be sold in small volume in another city. In making price comparisons, therefore, it must
be borne in mind that the primary use of the published data is for time-to-time rather than
place-to-place comparisons. For time-to-time comparisons, every effort is made to maintain
consistency of pricing from one period to the next within each outlet as to brand, quality,
and unit.
A few changes in specifications have been required over this 2-year period by develop­
ments in marketing or for clarification purposes. In January 1959, because of the wide
variation in prices and sizes of sweet pickles among brands, the specification was changed
to price ’’bread and butter” pickles. This action resulted in obtaining more uniform prices
as well as in cutting down the number of sizable price changes resulting from substitutions
between brands and types of sweet pickles. In November 1959, the specification for ice
cream was changed from the pint size to the half-gal Ion size which had become the volume
seller in all types of food outlets. In January 1960, the specification for cheese was
changed from 1-pound to the half-pound size, because the latter size had become the volume
seller.
When revisions of this sort are made, the new series is introduced by linking, so
that a difference in price due to specification change is not reflected as a price change
in the index.
Processing
Each month, the price reports are edited in the Washington office for conformance
with the required specifications. Conversions to uniform quantity units are made as neces­
sary. The data are then processed by machine tabulation.
The retail food price index is a fixed-base-weighted-aggregate index. Weighting
factors are used to maintain appropriate relationships:
(1) among chain stores (outlet
weights), (2) between chain and independent stores (chain-independent ratio), (3) among
foods in each city (consumption weights) and (4) among cities (population weights).
Average prices for each food in each city are computed separately for chain and in­
dependent stores. Weighting factors (called outlet weights), based on annual sales volume
of reporters, are used in calculating average prices for chain stores within each city. A
simple average of independent store prices is obtained, since the sample was selected
28/ See The Impact of Trading Stamps on Food Prices, Monthly Labor Review, March 1959,
pp. 276-278, and Trading Stamps and Their Impact on Food Prices, Marketing Research Report
No. 295, December 1958, 44 pp., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
29/ For a listing of specifications, see pp. 44-49 of this bulletin.




39

originally to be a self-weighting sample. Chain and independent average prices for a city
are combined by the use of the chain-independent ratios to obtain average prices for the
city. These chain-independent ratios are based on the percentage of total food sales in the
city made by chains and independent stores. In the small cities, comparable samples of re­
porting outlets are used in the index calculation. In effect, only those outlets for which
prices for the preceding and the current months are available are used in the computation of
the monthly percent changes.
Consumption weights (or family expenditure weights) for each city are applied to the
monthly price changes for the individual foods to give them their correct proportions in the
city's group and all-foods indexes. Until the interim adjustment of the index in 1950, when
1947-49 data were available, these weights were based on consumer expenditure data obtained
in 1934-36. A further revision of these weights was made in the revised index beginning Jan­
uary 1953, based on the consumer expenditure survey of 1950. Another such revision will be
made in January 1964.
City population weights are employed in obtaining United States average prices and
indexes for all cities combined. These weights are based on the population of the metro­
politan area containing the city in which prices are collected and that of cities of like
characteristics represented by the sample cities. Adjustments in these population weights
were made in March 1943 in accordance with Census Bureau estimates of changes in population
from April 1940 to May 1942, based on registrations for the sugar-ration books; again in
1950 for the 56 cities surveyed, using the 1950 Decennial Census data; and in January 1953,
when the number of cities was reduced from 56 to the current 46 cities.
Sample of Stores
The sample of stores in each of the 20 large cities is composed of: (1) all important
chain-store systems in the city; and (2) a sample of independent stores which was equal to
the square root of the total number of independent food stores operating in the city when
the sample was set up in 1946. 30/ To provide a representative sample, independent stores
were classified by type of store in terms of commodities handled, annual sales volume, and
geographic location within the city.
In the 26 small and medium-size cities added to the index in January 1953, the stores
were selected for their importance in family buying as revealed by the Survey of Consumer
Expenditures in 1950.
Although funds have not been available for a comprehensive revision of the sample of
stores since 1946, changes in retailing patterns require some adjustments of the sample of
stores from time to time. Besides the continual replacement of outlets which go out of
business, periodic revisions of the weights are made as new statistics on sales volume be­
come available. Regular biennial revisions of weights used for averaging chain store prices
were linked into the index in December 1953, January 1956, December 1957, and December 1959,
using sales volume data reported to the Bureau by the chain stores. 31/ Latest outlet
weights are based on sales volume reported to the Bureau for the year 1958. New outlet
weights based on 1960 sales volume will be introduced in January 1962. The relative weights
for combining chain and independent store prices were revised in December 1953 on the basis
of 1948 sales reported in the Census of Retail Trade. Another revision of these weights was
made in January 1956, based on estimates from trade sources. In December 1957, the weights
were adjusted on the basis of the 1954 Census of Retail Trade, and another revision is under
30/ See Store Samples for Retail Food Prices, Monthly Labor Review, January 1947, pp. 90100; also issued as Serial No. R. 1878.
31/ See monthly reports, Retail Food Prices by Cities, January 1954 and February 1956
issues, and special reports for December 1957 and December 1959.




40

way based on the 1958 Census of Retail Trade.
Sample of Food Items
It is impossible for the Bureau to collect prices for all of the many foods purchased
by families. Therefore, the sample of items in the index includes those items found to be
most important in wage-earner and clerical-worker family spending, as shown by comprehensive
consumer expenditures surveys. The selection of the index items also recognizes similarity
of price changes for related items. Price movements of foods not included in the monthly
surveys are imputed to those of other foods or food groups showing similar price trends. The
list of priced items established for the index beginning in January 1953 was based on consumer
spending habits for the year 1950, adjusted to reflect estimated 1952 expenditure patterns.
Conforming to the Bureau's policy for continuing improvement of the Consumer Price
Index as a means of measuring price changes, eight new food items were introduced in the
Consumer Price Index in May 1960. Two of the new items, frozen lemonade concentrate and
frozen french-fried potatoes, were added because of their increased importance in consumer
expenditures for food over the last several years. The other six items--macaroni, sirloin
steak, pork loin roast, pineapple juice, tomato juice, and potato chips--were added to obtain
a more comprehensive coverage of the food groups these items represent. In all cases,
weights for the new items were obtained by redistributing the weight of the items to which
they had formerly been assigned. 32/
Food Away From Home
Prices of food away from home (restaurant meals), represented by lunches, are obtained
from menus or by personal interviews with the managers of a representative sample of eating
places in the 46 cities. Price change from one month to the next is computed on the basis of
identical meals in each outlet. Adjustments are made in prices of meals reported to insure
that components--entrees, vegetables, bread and butter, dessert, and beverage— are comparable
from one period to the next. When direct pricing was established in January 1953, monthly
pricing was scheduled only for the five largest urbanized areas. Prices were obtained in
other large cities and in the medium-size cities every 3 months and in the smallest cities
every 4 months. At the present time, 21 cities are priced monthly, while the remainder are
priced quarterly. The Food Away From Home component represented 17.2 percent of the total
food index in December I960.
Correction Procedure for Published Price Indexes and Prices
The Bureau's retail prices and indexes normally are considered final when issued. Nec­
essary estimates for missing data are made at the time of release. Subsequent corrections of
estimates are reflected in the next month's index. Every effort is made to eliminate errors
in the computation of the retail food index. However, earlier data are corrected and revi­
sions are published when corrections exceed specified magnitudes, as outlined below:
Prices or Indexes for Individual Items. A correction of less than 1 percent in an aver­
age price or index for a given item will not be published unless the entire index is recalcu­
lated .
A correction in an average price and/or index amounting to 1.0 or more percent will be
published in the next subsequent release which normally carries the series affected, and
normally for as far back as the month in which the incorrect data entered into the index
calculation.
32/ See Consumer Price Index, May 1960, BLS release dated June 24, 1960, for a more com­
plete report on introduction of new items.




41

Subgroups Group, or All-Items Indexes. A correction which would cause a change of not
more than one-tenth (0.1) of an index point at any level will not be published, although ad­
justments for the error will be made in current index calculations.
A correction which would cause a change of six-tenths (0.6) or more of an index point
at a United States subgroup or a city subgroup or group level will be made in published sub­
group and group indexes.
A correction which would cause a change of two-tenths (0.2) or more of an index point
in a United States major group or all-items index or in all-items indexes for the 20 cities
for which indexes are published will be made in the index at the group and subgroup levels,
regardless of the amplitude at the lower levels. A correction of this magnitude, which is
extremely rare, would require consideration by the Bureau of the statistical, economic, and
other factors involved, to determine whether the previously published city or United States
all-items index is to be corrected or an adjustment is to be made in calculating the current
index number.
Special Studies--U.S. Department of Agriculture
Since 1954, the Bureau, in addition to the collection of retail prices for its own food
index, has collected retail prices of specific items in designated cities for the Agricul­
tural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These data are used
primarily in the AMS project for determining prices of selected food items at various market­
ing stages and are not published.
BLS Publications
Retail prices collected for the Bureau's index are issued regularly as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Consumer Price Index (monthly, multilithed)•
Retail Food Prices by Cities (monthly, multilithed).
Retail Food Prices by Cities— Annual Averages (annually, multilithed).
Monthly Labor Review (monthly) .
Retail Prices of Food (bulletins, annually or biennially).




42

Table

A.

List

of

Foods

and

Relative

Importance

of

Individual

Foods

and

Groups

of

Foods

Included

in

the

Retail

Food

Price

Index,

December 1950, Decedier 1952, December 1959, and December 1960

1
Dec.
Dec.
1952
1950
Dec.
idjus ted revised
1959
index 1/ index 2/

Article

All

f o o d s ---------------------------

Dec.
1960

100.00

100.00

100.0

100.0

in

15.28
84.72
10.33

17.3
82.7
11.4

17.2
82.8
11.4

All

fruits

Fresh
Foods

away

Foods

at

f r o m h o m e -------------

home-—

Cereals

and

---- —

------ —

bakeryproducts-

100.00
11.12

Flour,

w h e a t -------------- m i x -----------------

C o r n m e a l -------------------R i c e ------ ------ —
Rolled

Bakery

.15
.29
.24
.32

1.9
.5
(3/)
.1
.3
.3
.4

1.3
.5
.5
.1
.3
.3
.4

6.10
(3/)
2.34
33.07
24.39

4.82
.50
1.63
25.79
19.77

5.7
.5
1.7
23.5
19.0

5.9
.5
1.6
23.6
19.2

4.40

3.09

2.9
(3/)
1.8
.6
1.9
.8

2.0
.9
1.6
.5
1.8
.7
1.9

( 3 />

1.84
.54

(3/)
.12
.22
.23
.43

in

Soda

c r a c k e r s -------------c o o k i e s -----------

poultry,

Meats —

and

f i s h -----

......... —

Beef

and

Round

s t e a k -----------

r o a s t --------------

r o a s t -----------------

H a m b u r g e r ----------------Veal

c u t l e t s ------------chops—

Pork roast,
Bacon,

------------loin

half-

s l i c e d ---------—

Ham,

w h o l e ----------------

Salt

p o r k -----------------

L a m b , leg—
Other

---------------

Luncheon
Poultry,

meat,

frying

Fresh

or

canned-

chickens—

f r o z e n ------- —

Salmon,
Tuna

p i n k -----------

f i s h ----------------

p r o d u c t s ------------------

Milk,

fresh,

( g r o c e r y ) -----

Milk,

fresh,

(delivered)—

c r e a m ----------------------

B u t t e r - - -----------------------C h e e s e - - - - - - ------ -—

--------

e v a p o r a t e d -------------

fruits

and

fruits

v e g e t a b l e s --and

Frozen

juice

Lemonade

.67

1.0

in

on

in

.57
.33
.29

.5
.4
.3

T o m a t o e s ------------------- —

1.00
.83
1.30

.46
.53
.66

.4
.5
.6

Tomato

in

in

in

.67
.68
.26
.42
19.27

.46
.55
.25
.30
19.33

.5
.6
.3
.3
17.8

in
in
in
in

1.26
.51

1.2
.5

1.0

.85
<3/>
6.39

.79
.34
5.26
3.76
.40
1.10
2.97
.96
.82
.28
.59
.32
3.03
1.29
.42
.42
.90
4.81

.8
.3
4.8
2.9
.5
1.4
2.9
.9
.7
.3
.6
.4
3.4
1.4
.5
.5

.7
.3
4.7
2.8
.5
1.4
2.9
.9
.7
.3
.6
.4
3.1
1.3
.4
.5
.9
4.5

in
in

.36

.4

in

in

C a r r o t s ------------------------L e t t u c e ------------------------C e l e r y -------------------------C a b b a g e -------------------------

in

in

1.88
1.38
3.75
1.02

1.95
.57
2.05
.67

2.98
(3 /)
1.56
1.90
.28
2.39

2.44

.62

2.6
(3/)
2.5
2.0
(3/)
.6

2.85
(3/)
5.66
3.02
1.92

2.49
.87
4.12
1.90
1.02

2.4
.9
2.6
1.9
1.1

Beans,
Canned

g r e e n ------------------

fruits

Canned

< !/>

2.80
2.22

in

and

vegetables--

j u i c e -----------------j u i c e --------------

P e a c h e s ------------------------Fruit

1.0

Canned

2.8
2.1

1.10
(3/)
17.44
4.72
6.28
1.59
2.41
1.57
.87
19.10

.30
.58
14.02
4.33
4.18
1.12
1.66
1.75
.98
15.25

Dried

.74

.89

.24

.10

.4
.5
13.9
4.4
4.3

1.0

1.0

16.0

15.5

1.1

.9

.1

.1

Peas,
Beans,

g r e e n --- —

------

Potatoes, french

fried

fruits

and

foods

c a n n e d --- —

beans

with

and

sauces:

Catsup,

t o m a t o -------------------

Beverages,

n o n a l c o h o l i c ----------

1.0

C o f f e e ------------------------------

1.5
1.7

T e a ----------------------------------

.13

.35

in

in

.37

in
in

.27
.17

.3
.2

in

(3 /)

.2
.1
.1

12.23

9.84

10.1

9.9

.82

1.13

1.0

1.1

7.02
5.32

S u g a r --------------------------------

<3/>
1.70
2.93
1.08
.69
.42
.74
(3/)
2.93
2.08

Corn

in

Cola
Fats

d r i n k s - --- ------------------

and

o i l s --- -------------------

Shortening,

h y d r o g e n a t e d - ---------------------------

L a r d --------------------------------d r e s s i n g --------------------

Peanut

.3
.1

.96
.69

b u t t e r ---------------------

and

s w e e t s ----------------- —

s y r u p --- -—

-----------------

j e l l y ------------------------

Chocolate
Eggs,

b a r s -------------------

f r e s h --------------------------

Miscellaneous
Gelatin,
Potato

._________ L
For an explanation of the adjusted index, see Interim Adjustment of Consumers1 Price Index (BLS Bull. 1039 ).
For an explanation of the revised index, see Retail Prices of Food, 1953-54 (BLS Bull. 1183 )^ p. 28.
Not priced.




43

.5
.5
.3
.3
.5
.6
.3
.3
18.3

1.0
3.5

.4

foods:

f l a v o r e d ---------------

c h i p s ------------------- —

fruits:

A p p l e s ---------------------

.6
.3
.5
.3
.3

foods:
------------- -

p o r k ---------------- --

P i c k l e s .............................

Sugar

in

vegetables—

h o m e ------------------

prepared

Soup,

Condiments

vege­

t a b l e s ------------------ -----

at

Partially

Margarine—

.5

and

D r i e d b e a n s ----------------------

Grape

g r e e n ------------- -

j u i c e - -----------------

f o o d s ---------------------

fruits

Salad

concentrate-

g r e e n -------------------

P r u n e s ----------------------------Other

1.0

.3
.5
14.0
4.4
4.3
1.1
1.6
1.6

c o c k t a i l - --------------

Peas,

.6

1.0
.4
4.1

vegetables:

C o r n - ----------------------- —

( I /)

2.4
.9
2.5
1.9

1.44
2.06
(3/)
(3/)

fruits:

Orange

Pineapple

Frozen vegetables:

\ J

(in
in

P o t a t o e s - - ------------- -------

O n i o n s ---------------------- —

concen­

trate—

2/
3/

1.6
.2
.3
.3
.5
.3
.1

—

W a t e r m e l o n s -------------------

fruits:

S t r a w b e r r i e s ----------- Orange

Fresh

1.5
.2
.3
.3
.7
.4
.2
.9
.5
4.2

—

Fresh vegetables:

vege­

tables—

Fresh

1.86
.23
.38
.33
.60
.34
.14
.75
.42
3.97

—

S t r a w b e r r i e s ------------------

Canned:

Frozen

1.91
.31
.55
.74
1.10
(3/)
.41
1.83
1.06
5.45

—

G r a p e s - -------------------------

Baby

F i s h .............................

All

0.7
1.7
.2
.3
.4
.2
.3
.3

—

P e a c h e s -------------------------

meats:

F r a n k f u r t e r s -------------

Milk,

0.8
1.5
.2
.3
.4
.2
.3
.4

—

P i n e a p p l e ----------------------

Pork

Ice

on
in
in
in

0.79
1.13
.17
.21
.34
.25
.24
.53

—

-----------------------

G r a p e f r u i t - -------------------

Pork:

Dairy

- Con.

T o m a t o e s ----------------- ------

8 t e a k --------------

Chuck

- Con,

vegetables

O r a n g e s -------------------------

veal:

Sirloin

Rib

...... —

Dec.
1960

- Con.

S w e e t p o t a t o e s -----------------

w h i t e ------------- —

Vanilla

and

Bananas—

products:

Bread,

Meats,

------- -

o a t s ---------------—

f l a k e s --- -------------

1.68

vegetables

fruits

Lemons —

Biscuit

Corn

and

fruits

Fresh

Cereals:

M a c a r o n i ---------------------

Dec.
Dec.
1950
1952
Dec.
adjusted revised
1959
index 1/ index 2/

Article

.4
.3

Specifications for Food Items Priced in 46 Cities, as of January 1959, with Changes during 1959-60.
Date
of
Change

Date
of

Description

Code

Description

Code

Change

F-101.0

Flour, white, general all-purpose, may
be made from either hard or soft
wheat or a blend of the two; 5-pound
sack.
(If not available, 10-pound
sack.)

F-106.0

Biscuit mix, prepared flour, containing
all ingredients except liquid; 20-ounce
package, or nearest size. Citywide
deviation: 40-ounce package in Sandpoint.

F-107.0

Macaroni, straight or elbow; best quality;
12-16-ounce carton or cellophane bag.

F-170.0

Vanilla flavored cookies or wafers
without any filling or coating;
11-16-ounce bag or box in Atlanta,
Cincinnati, Lynchburg, Newark, and
Pulaski; 6-10-ounce bag or box in
other cities.

F-201.1

Round steak, cut from hind quarter
between rump and heel pot roast
and containing the round bone if
steak is full cut; top or full
cut; bone-in (boneless, if bone-in
is not available); U.S. Choice grade,

Introduced

May 1960

(If
If

F-110.0

Corn meal, white or yellow; best quality;
volume selling package up to 24 ounces.
Citywide deviations: Price the follow­
ing sizes in the cities specified: 3240-ounce package or bag in Evansville,
Madill, Sandpoint, Shawnee, and Washington;
one-pound bulk or 5-pound bag in Atlanta
and Middlesboro.

one

F-204.0

120.0
F-121.0

If

June 1959

Rice, polished, fancy, whole, either
"regular" or "quick cooking"; 16-ounce
package or nearest size.

F-121.0

Long

Garrett,

Lodi,

Los

San

New

rice

Madill,

Jersey,

Sandpoint,

Francisco,

priced

Glendale,

Angeles,

Northeastern
Portland,

grain

San

F-207.0

long

from

grain

of

grain

in

York-

and

F-210.0

Seattle
Youngs­

and

added

to

Chuck

not
U.S.

roast;
part

roast

and

Rolled oats (oatmeal), either "quick
cooking" or "regular"; 16-20-ounce
package.

F-130.0

Corn flakes; prepared (ready-to-eat)
breakfast cereal, made from corn,
flavored with sugar and salt and
processed into flakes; 8-ounce
package in Atlanta, Boston, Charles­
ton, Houston, Kansas City, Los
Angeles, Middletown, New York-North­
eastern New Jersey, and Washington;
11-12-ounce packages in other large
cities.
11-12-ounce packages in all cities.

F-160.0

June

1959
1959

one

Standard);

acceptable

in

price
not

(Baby

U.S.

Good.

available,
or

beef

U.S.

Standard);

acceptable

in

Introduced
May

blade
of

pot

roast

shoulder

behind

neck;

cut

before

1960

from
rib

bone-in;

not
U.S.

One-pound package.

Oct. 1959

price
not

Commercial
(Baby

beef

U.S.

Good.

available,
or

U.S.

Standard);

acceptable

in

Hamburger; preground beef, regular in­
cluding chuck, stew beef, trimmings,
etc., containing from 12% to 25% fat
or suet; one pound.

F-218.0

Veal cutlets, cut from shank half of leg,
sometimes called veal steak; U.S. Choice
grade; one pound. U.S. Good grade cubed
veal cutlets in Houston only.

F-220.0

Pork chops, cut from center of loins,
No. 1 grade; one pound.
(If not available,
center-cut rib chops.)

F-221

Pork roast, loin half cut from pork loins
weighing 8-12 pounds; No. 1 grade; one
pound.

F-224.0

Bacon, sliced and packaged, rind off;
Standard Grade A; one pound package
of cellophane or similar material.
(If not available, two half-pound
packages.)

F-227.0

Ham, whole, skinned (partially), smoked,
tenderized, weighing between 10 and 16
pounds. If whole ham not available,
price shank half. Packer's best quality;
one pound. Priced in all cities except
those listed for pricing in F-228.0. If
F-227.0 is not available, price F-228.0.

Soda crackers, salted or unsalted;
best quality; one-pound package
or nearest size.
Aug. 1959

U.S.

pound.

also

F-215.0

June 1959

Saltines included.

available,
Good

H o u s t o n .)

Bread, pan style, prepared from white
flour, wrapped; volume selling size
loaf.




Good.

Rib roast; standing rib roast; short
cut (7-inch), cut from rib section
of forequarter exclusive of 6th and
7th ribs; bone-in; U.S. Choice gr'.de,
If

Feb.
Detroit

F-126.0

F-150.0

also

Commercial

pound.

price

and

available,
Good

U.S.

upper

(If

cities:

Cleveland
Chicago

beef

U.S.

Philadelphia,
Jose,

Washington,

short

list

(Baby

U.S.

available,
or

U.S. Choice grade, (If not available,
price U.S. Good. If U.S. Good also
not available, price U.S. Commercial
or U.S. Standard); one pound.
(Baby
beef acceptable in Houston.) In
Boston, price only boneless.

town.

Deleted

price
not

Houston.)

Houston,
New

pound.

price

F-120.0 Short grain rice priced in all
cities except those listed for pricing
in F-121.0.

Boston,

also

Commercial

Sirloin steak, cut from beef loin be­
tween porterhouse steak and round
steak, containing part of the hip
or pelvic bone; U.S. Choice grade,

one
F-

available,
Good

U.S.

Houston.)

(If

Volume selling package up to 24 ounces,
in Evansville, Madill, and Shawnee.

not
U.S.

price

44

Introduced
May

1960

S p e c if ic a t io n s f o r Food Item s P riced in 46 C i t i e s ,

as o f January 1959, w ith Changes d urin g 1959-60.

Date

Date

of

Description

Code

Description

Code

of

Change

F-228.0

F-230.0

Change

Ham, whole, smoked, fully cooked or
ready-to-eat, weighing between 10
and 16 pounds, always bearing the
description "ready-to-eat," or
"fully cooked." If whole ham not
available, price shank half.
Packer's best quality; one pound.
Priced in Cleveland, Detroit,
Evansville, Grand Forks, Laconia,
Madison, Middletown, MinneapolisSt. Paul, St. Louis, Shenandoah,
and Youngstown.
If F-228.0 is not
available, price F-227.0.

F-261.0

Leg

F-262.0

of

cut

lamb;

hind

(includes

leg

leg

of

to

lamb,

the

Sold

frozen,

F-246.0

Luncheon meat, canned.
in

small
is

solid

percentage

either

spices

of

ground

are

May

Houston,

Jose

Cod,

only

Jersey,

in

Frying

in

and

Lodi,

Los

Angeles,

Sandpoint,

to

and

list

all

San

Shawnee.

of

cities

frozen

fillets.

King

(Chinook)

Los

one

Angeles,

salmon

pound.

only;

Priced

Portland,

and

Seattle.

F-271

New

Halibut,

fresh
good

or

frozen,

quality;

steak

one

or

pound.

Price in Grand Forks, Los Angeles,
and Portland.

York-Northeastern

Jan. 1959

discontinued.

chickens,

in

Grand

Ready-to-eat;

F-272
F-251.0

type

Oct. 1959

quality;

slice;

priced

quick

Salmon, fresh or frozen, steak or
slice;

Frying chickens, New York dressed,
New

added

and

Priced
Boston,

Seattle,

prepackaged

good

U.S. inspected; 12-ounce tin.
F-250.0

size

Anna,

Portland,

freezer

Sold from meat counters or
freezer cabinets as frosted,
frozen, quick frozen, etc. Good
merchantable condition. Fixed
weight box. One pound or nearest
size in 12-16-ounce range. Priced
in Boston.

Meat

chopped

Forks,

San

contain

beef.

or

added.

Same

F-260.0.

as

except

or

frozen,

merchantable

excepted.

Contains

pack.

Good

Francisco,

F-270.0
pork

frosted,

cities

Madill,

bone);

Frankfurters or weiners, skinless
(synthetic casing), containing a
combination of beef, pork, and
veal. May be packaged. Best
quality; one pound.

counters

as
etc.

condition.
package

U.S. Choice grade; one pound.
F-240.0

from meat

cabinets

short

hip

Haddock, prepackaged frozen fillets.

ready-to-cook

(dressed and drawn); tender-meated
chicken of either sex, with smooth
tender skin, flexible breastbone
cartilage and undeveloped leg
tendons. Age: Approximately 8 to 16
weeks; weighing 1 3/4-to-2 3/4 pounds.
Grade A or best quality. Priced in
all 46 cities.
(Ready-to-cook means
that the feathers, head, and feet are
removed and that the chicken has been
fully drawn or eviscerated, thoroughly
cleaned inside and out, and priced
after the removable waste— head, feet,
and inedible organs--has been discarded.
Also known as "dressed and drawn,"
"table dressed," "fully dressed," "pan
ready," or "oven ready," fresh dressed,
fresh hard chilled, dry packed, or ice
packed.)

Sole, fresh or frozen fillets. Sold
from meat counters or freezer
cabinets. Known as petrale, rex,
Dover, and rock sole. Bulk
(fresh); cellophane package or fixed
weight box of one pound. One pound
or nearest size in 12-to-16-ounce
range. Priced in Lodi, Sandpoint,
San Francisco, and Seattle.
San

Jose

added

to

list

of

cities

Oct. 1959

priced.

F-280.0

Haddock,
one

F-281.0

fresh,

pound.

fillets;

Priced

in

good

quality;

Boston.

Sea trout, fresh, dressed (after
removal
and

of

entrails,

usually

gray

fins.)

(weakfish),

quality;

one

or

pound.

head
May

and

be

white.
Priced

tail,

spotted,
Good
in

Hous ton.
New

York-Northeastern

F-250.0,

from
to

include

and

only

New

Jersey

specification

deleted

F-282.1

revised

Jan. 1959

F-251.0.

Catfish, frozen, ocean fillets; good
quality;
Madill,

F-260.0

one
and

pound.

Priced

in

Anna,

Shawnee.

Ocean perch, prepackaged frozen fillets;
also

known

perch,

or

as

rosefish,

redfish.

counters

or

frosted,

frozen,

Good
phane
One

freezer

package

pound.

able,

the

pound.)
Boston,

or

(If

fixed
one

Los

in

as

frozen,

all

Angeles,

F-294.0

avail­
one

cities

Portland,

except
and

Seattle.




pink,

canned,

Alaska

Pink

(label

always

One-pound

etc.

box.

not

under

Salmon,

or

tall

also

Humpback
specifies

known

as

salmon,
"pink").

cylindrical

can.

Cello­

weight

pound

size

F-290.0

red

meat

condition.

nearest
Priced

perch,

from

cabinets

quick

merchantable

sea

Sold

45

Tuna fish, canned, fancy light meat,
packed in oil, chunk style, 6-6^ounce can (No. 1 flat can.) Citywide
deviation: White meat tuna, 7-ounce
can (No. 1 flat can) in Baltimore,
Boston, and New York-Northeastern
New Jersey.

Specifications for Food Item s P rice d in 46 C i t i e s ,

F-306.0

F-308.0

F-315.0

F-317.0

Milk, fresh, fluid, pasteurized,
homogenized, Vitamin D added,
sold in stores. Lowest butterfat
content over 3.25 percent. Quart
or half-gallon, carton or bottle.
Priced in all cities except
Baltimore and Laconia.

Nov. 1959

Baltimore deleted from list of
exceptions; 46 cities priced.

March 1960

Milk, fresh, fluid, pasteurized,
non-homogenized, without Vitamin D
sold in stores. Lowest butterfat
content over 3.25 percent. Quart
or half-galIon, carton or bottle.
Priced in Baltimore and Laconia.

Nov. 1959

Discontinued.

March 1960

Milk, fresh, fluid, pasteurized,
homogenized, Vitamin D added,
delivered to homes. Lowest
butterfat content over 3.25
percent. Quart or half-gallon,
carton or bottle. Priced in all
cities except Baltimore and
Laconia. Citywide deviation:
Anna: milk without Vitamin D.

Cheese, American processed, pasteurized,
prepared by mixing one or more indi­
vidual Cheddars. May contain added
salt, water, and coloring. Whole
milk cheddar always labeled American
Process. Label does not state the
ingredients. One pound, pieced or
sliced, either prepackaged or cut
from a larger loaf, or two-pound
package. Citywide deviation: Onehalf pound package in Atlanta and
Boston.
One-half pound package in Detroit.

Nov. 1959

Discontinued.

Jan. 1960

Cheese, American processed, pasteurized,
prepared by mixing one or more indi­
vidual Cheddars. May contain added
salt, water, and coloring. Whole
milk cheddar-prepackaged cheese is
always labeled American Process.
Label does not state the ingredients.
One half pound (8-ounces), pieced or
sliced, either prepackaged or cut
from a larger loaf.

F-380

Milk, evaporated, unsweetened; may or
may not be irradiated; 14%-ounce
can.

F-401.1

Strawberries, frozen, sliced or halves,
packed in sugar; Grade A or Fancy;
10-ounce fiber container or nearest
size.

Nov. 1959

F-403.0

Orange juice, frozen, 1 to 3 concentra­
tion; Grade A or Fancy; 6 -ounce can.

Laconia added to list of cities
priced.

Dec. 1959

-404.0

Lemonade, frozen, 1 to 3 concentration;
Grade A or Fancy; 6-ounce can.

Milk, fresh, fluid, pasteurized,
non-homogenized, without Vita­
min D, delivered to homes*
Lowest butterfat content over
3.25 percent. Quart or halfgallon, carton or bottle.
Priced in Baltimore and Laconia.

Nov.

1959

F-410.1

Peas, green, frozen; Grade A or Fancy;
10-ounce fiber container or nearest
size.

F-413.0

Beans, green, frozen, cut or French
style; Grade A or Fancy; 9 -ounce
fiber container or nearest size.

F-414.0

Potatoes, French fried, frozen; Grade A
or Fancy, or best grade offered;
9-ounce fiber container (may have
metal ends.)

Dec. 1959
F-420.0

Apples, fresh, all-purpose, mature
but not overripe; U.S. No. 1 or
U.S. Fancy; medium size (about
2% to 3 inches in diameter, or
packing 163 to 100 to the box).
Prepackaged or bulk, whichever
is the volume seller. One pound.

F-421.0

Bananas, yellow; first quality; one
pound.

F-422.0

Oranges; volume selling orange from
any state; all varieties except
Temple and King; U.S. No. 1 grade
(good quality); sizes 176 to 220
in standard box, (88 to 110, if
packed in half-box carton), or
nearest size. One dozen.

Ice cream, prepacked bulk, vanilla
or chocolate flavored; pint.
(If
bulk not available, brick ice
cream.)

Ice cream, prepacked bulk, vanilla
or chocolate flavored; half-gallon
package. Replaced F-320.0.

Nov. 1959

Nov. 1959

Butter, salted, creamery, 92 score
(if 92 score not available, 93
score; if 93 score not available,
90 score.) Any type of pound
package. May be:
(1) one-pound
solid print of butter, paper
wrapped, may or may not be in
carton; (2) four wrapped quarterpound sections, always in carton;
(3) roll butter, a paper-wrapped
roll-shaped print not in carton.




46

Date
of
Change

Description

Baltimore added to list of
cities priced.

Discontinued.

F-330.0

F-342

Laconia deleted from list of
cities priced.

Laconia deleted from list of
cities priced; and specification
F-317.0 discontinued.

F-321.0

Code

F-340.0

Laconia deleted from list of
exceptions.

Baltimore deleted from list of
cities priced.

F-320.0

Date
of
Change

Description

Code

as of January 1959, w ith Changes during 1959-60.

Jan. 1960

Introduced
May

1960

Introduced
May

1960

Specifications for Food Items Priced in 46 Cities, as of January 1959, with Changes during 1959-60.

Date

Date

of

Description

Code

of

Description

Code

Change

F-423.0

Lemons; all varieties; U.S. No. 1
grade. One pound.
(If not sold
by the pound, report price per
each or per dozen and specify
size. If size is not available,
quote total weight of three lemons.)

F-424.0

Grapefruit; fresh; volume selling
pink or white; may be seeded or
seedless; U.S. No. 1 grade; each.
(State price per pound or dozen
if so quoted.)
Transferred
year-round

F-425.0

Peaches,
or

from

seasonal

flesh

having

color.

Varieties

Family,
One

pound.

small

Priced

in

good

are

(If

of

sold

July,

Celery, fresh, green, known as
"Pascal celery"; U.S. No. 1 grade;
one pound.
(If sold by the stalk,
quote price per stalk, weigh one
average-sized stalk, and specify
weight.)

F-454.0

Cabbage, Danish, domestic, or
pointed type, with standard trim;
U.S. No. 1 grade; one pound.
(If
sold by the head, quote price per
head, weigh one average-sized
head, and specify weight.)

F-456.0

Tomatoes, fresh, firm, glossy, free
from deep grooves; U.S. No. 1 or
best quality; in cartons or loose,
whichever is the volume seller.
Loose tomatoes must be of good
slicing quality and uniform size.
Carton or pound.
(If carton,
enter weight indicated on carton.
If weight not indicated, weigh
one carton, and enter weight.)

F-458.0

Beans, fresh, green, snap, string
or stringless, all varieties;
U.S. No. 1 grade; one pound.

F-460.0

Orange juice, single strength;
Grade A or Fancy; 46-ounce can.

F-461.0

Pineapple juice, sweetened or un­
sweetened; Grade A or Fancy, or
best grade offered; No. 3 cylinder
can (approximately 46 ounces.)

green

usually

Georgia.
in

price

per

weight.)

August,

Strawberries, fresh, of good uniform
color, with the caps firmly attached
to the fruit; of uniformly good
quality, with no signs of decay.
One pint basket.
(If not avail­
able, quart basket.) Priced in
April, Hay, June.

F-427.0

Grapes, Thompson seedless, pale
yellow, green, or white thin
skinned seedless grapes, in large
compact bunches, with the fruit
firmly attached to stems; in good
merchantable condition, with no
sign of decay; one pound. Priced
July through November.

F-428.0

Watermelons, large, ripe, whole or
cut pieces, of uniformly good
color, and in good merchantable
condition. One pound.
(State
price per melon, if so quoted,
and enter approximate average
weight per melon.) Priced in
June, July, August.

F-440.0

F-452

white
mer­

September.

F-426.0

Lettuce, head, all varieties; U.S.
No. 1 grade; size 60 (or nearest
size) if packed by crate; size 30
(or nearest size) if packed by
carton; one head.
(State price
per pound, if so quoted.)

Havens

only

report

specify

Potatoes, white or "Irish" all
v a r ie t ie s

Nov. 1959

F-450

fully

basic

Hale,

Belle

basket,
and

no

J.C.

and

basket

fresh,

in

condition,

Carrots, topped, all varieties;
U.S. No. 1; in cellophane or
pliofilm bag; one pound.
(If
price is quoted by the bag,
report price per bag and specify
weight indicated on bag. If not
indicated, weigh one bag and specify
weight.) Priced in all cities
except Lodi, Los Angeles, San Fran­
cisco, and San Jose.
Priced in all cities.

June 1959

ripened

Elbertas,

F-448.0

to

item.

freestone,

yellow

chantable

Change

( r e d s k in n e d w h it e

potatoes acceptable) U.S. No. 1
grade; volume selling unit.

F-463.0

Peaches,
heavy
can

F-441.0

Sweetpotatoes, all varieties; U.S.
No. 1 grade; volume selling unit.

p-444.0

Onions, common yellow, dry, cooking,
globe type; all varieties; U.S.
No. 1 grade; approximately 2 inches
in diameter; one pound.

F-447.0

Carrots, bunched or topped, all
varieties; U.S. No. 1 grade; one
bunch or one pound. Priced in
Lodi, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
and San Jose.
Discontinued.




1

yellow,
syrup;

(net

pound

cling,

Choice

weight:

13

halves,

grade;

in

No.

1\

approximately

ounces.)

F-465.1

Pineapple, Hawaiian, sliced, in
extra-heavy syrup; Grade A or
Fancy; No. 2 can (net weight:
approximately 1 pound 4 ounces.)

F-469.1

Fruit cocktail, prepared from peaches,
pears, pineapple, seedless grapes,
and maraschino-type or natural
cherries, packed in heavy syrup;
Grade A or Fancy; No. 303 can, (net
weight: approximately 1 pound
1 ounce.) If 303 not available,
No. 300 can (net weight: approxi­
mately 15 ounces.)

Nov. 1959

47

Introduced

May 1960

Specifications for Food Items Priced in 46 Cities, as of January 1959, with Changes during 1959-60.
'"D a te "
of
Change

Date

of

Description

Code

Code

Description

Change

F-470.0

Corn,

sugar,

white;

F-473.0

F-475.1

cream

A

Grade

can

(net

one

pound.)

style,

or

yellow

Fancy;

weight:

No.

or

F-491.0

Great Northern beans, dry, white,
packaged or bulk; No. 1 choice,
hand picked; one-pound package.
(If not available, nearest package
size or bulk, whichever is volume
seller.) Price in all cities
except those in which F-490.0 is
priced.

F-502.0

Soup, tomato or cream of tomato,
condensed; 10%-11-ounce can.

F-505.0

Beans

303

approximately

Peas, sweet or sugar; Grade A or
Fancy (top quality); any sieve
size; N o . 303 can (net weight:
approximately one pound.)
A) Tomatoes, small and large pieces,
with a maximum of 50 percent
liquid; standard grade (Grade C ) ;
No. 303 can (net weight: approxi­
mately 16 ounces.)
(If not avail­
able, No. 2 can (net weight: ap­
proximately 1 pound, 3 ounces.)
Priced in all cities except Garrett,
Lodi, Los Angeles, Madison, Port­
land, Rawlins, Sandpoint, San
Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.
B)

Tomatoes,

whole

or

solid

pack,

C)

Jose,

Tomatoes,

and

whole

pork,

pork,

packed
with

in

in

available,

F-511.0

with

can

small

or

solid

pack,

and

large

F-521.0

Coffee,

ground,
one

roasted;

Coffee, whole bean or ground, roasted;
cardboard

or

Priced

chain

point,

in

paper

F-524.1

Tea

bags,

package

Introduced

May 1960

Prunes, dried, may be tenderized;
extra large or large (53 or less);
carton or cellophane package; onepound package (if not available,
two pounds.) Citywide deviation:
Medium size-67 to 53-in Madill.

Cola

town,

Newark,

New

Jersey,

Francisco,




Canton,

Glendale,

New

San

Jose,

and

except
Sand­

Jose,

and

drink,

as

and

pekoe,

black

tea;

bags.

two

brands

of

cola-flavored,

unchilled

not

carton

6

of

available,

or

12

(If

chilled);

bottles

or

cans,

size.

Shortening, processed from hydrogenated
vegetable oils (label always states
product is made from hydrogenated
vegetable oils.) 3-pound container.

F-532.0

Margarine,

F-533.0

F-537.0

vegetable,

carton.

Priced

Madison,

and

in

colored;
all

one-pound

cities

except

M i n n e a p o l i s - S t . Paul.

Margarine, vegetable, uncolored; one-pound
St.

Priced

in M a d i s o n

and

Minneapolis

Paul.

Lard,

pure,

rendered,
one

pound.

steam
or

rendered,

leaf;
(If

not

carton

open
or

kettle

bulk;

available,

nearest

size.)

Laconia,

F-540.0

Middle-

York-Northeastern

Pittsburgh,

cities
Madill,

San

F-530.1

Charleston,

Houston,

Lynchburg,

16

of

carton.

Angeles,

pekoe

known

6 - 12-ounce

Navy beans, dry, white, packaged or
bulk; No. 1 choice, hand picked;
one-pound package.
(If not avail­
able, nearest package size or bulk,
whichever is the volume seller.)
Boston,

All

pound.
independent

ca rb on a ted b e v e r a g e s , u n c h ille d .

F-480.0

in

one
and

Island,

Francisco,

orange

generally

foods; strained fruits, vege­
tables, or meat and vegetable
mixtures; 4%-5-ounce jar or can.

Los

only.

Grand

San

bag;

stores

Seattle.

G rade A o r F a n c y , o r

Lodi,

air-tight

pound.

Glendale,

pieces,

Baby

Priced

Aug. 1959

Catsup, tomato product, sometimes
called "ketchup"; Grade A or
Fancy; 14-ounce bottle.

F-522.0

F-479.0

Cleveland,

not
beans

15-18-

Pickles, cucumber pickles, sliced
crosswise (sometimes called "Bread
and Butter Pickles" or "Quickies");
fresh packed green cucumbers, canned
with a mildly spiced and sweetened
solution, 15-16 ounces.
(If not
available, nearest smaller size.)

can;

best grade offered; No. 3 cylinder
can (net weight: approximately
46 ounces.)

F-490.0

style

quality;

F-515.0
with

F-526.1
T om ato j u i c e ;

beans

are

15-16 ounces only.

with a maximum of 42 percent liquid;
extra standard grade (Grade B or
Choice); No. 303 can (net weight:
approximately 16 ounces.)
(If not
available, No. 2 can (net weight:
approximately 1 pound, 3 ounces.)
Priced in Garrett.
F -4 7 7 .0

sauce

jar.

supermarkets
Tomatoes,

beans
beans,"

If

England

Best
or

dried

"baked

Seattle.

a maximum of 42 percent liquid;
extra standard grade (Grade B or
Choice); No. 303 can (net weight:
approximately 16 ounces.) (If not
available, No. 2 can (net weight:
approximately 1 pound, 3 ounces.)
Priced in Madison, Rawlins, and
Sandpoint.
D)

as

sauce.

tomato

New

pork.

ounce

canned

known
tomato

pork

with

a maximum of 42 percent liquid;
extra standard grade (Grade B or
Choice); No. 2 \ can (net weight:
approximately 1 pound, 12 ounces.)
Priced in Lodi, Los Angeles,
Portland, Oreg., San Francisco,
San

with

with

Portland,

Salad
as

San

dressing,
"salad

jar.

Seattle.

48

cooked,

dressing"

on

always
the

identified

label;

pint

S p e c if ic a t io n s f o r Food Item s P rice d in 46 C i t i e s ,

as o f January 1959, w ith Changes during 1959-60

Date

Date

of

Description

Code

Code

Description

of

C h ange

F-545.0

Change

Peanut butter, prepared from U.S. No. 1
peanuts with salt added. Hay be
homogenized, and contain hydrogenized
peanut oil.
12-16-ounce jar or
tumbler, or nearest smaller size.
Peanut spreads included. Peanut spreads
may contain small amounts of other
ingredients such as vegetable oils
and honey.
11-16-ounce jar or tumbler only.

F-550.1

Sugar, white granulated cane or beet
sugar; paper bag.
(If not available,
carton or cloth bag); 5 pounds.

F-555.0

Corn syrup, golden, containing at least
90 percent corn syrup, may contain up
to 10 percent of cane or maple sugar
syrup; 24-ounce (net weight) bottle
or can.
(If not available, next
smaller size.)

F-560.0

Grape jelly, made from filtered and
strained grape juice; Grade A or
Fancy; 10-16-ounce jar or tumbler.

F-570.0

Chocolate

bar,

plain

milk

June 1959
Aug. 1959

chocolate;

1-ounce bar or nearest available
small size.
F-580.0

Eggs, fresh, white or brown shell;
Grade A, Large; one dozen.
Citywide deviation: Grade AA in
Portland, San Francisco, and
Seattle. If F-580.0 is not
available, F -581.0 is priced in
cities listed under F-581.0.
Los

Angeles

added

to

Citywide

Aug. 1959

deviation.

F-581.0

Eggs, fresh, white or brown shell;
volume selling grade and size,
other than Large, Grade A.
(If
unable to report grade and size,
any other information available);
one dozen. Priced in the follow­
ing cities only when F-580.0 is
not available: Anna, Camden,
Canton, Charleston, Evansville,
Garrett, Glendale, Grand Forks,
Grand Island, Huntington, Laconia,
Lodi, Lynchburg, Madill, Madison,
Middlesboro, Middletown, Newark,
P u l a s k i , R a v en n a , R a w li n s , Sandpoint, San Jose, Shawnee,

F-590.0

Gelatin dessert, flavored, powder;
3-4-ounce package.

F-591.0

Potato chips, fresh, salted; approxi­
mately 3-5-ounce package.
(If not
available, unit selling in greatest
volume.)

Shenandoah,

and

Youngstown.

3-5-ounce package.




Introduced

May 1960
Oct. 1960

49
☆ U.S . G O V E R N M E N T

PRINTING

OFFICE:

1961 0

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