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New inflation data contradicts President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that grocery prices are “down.” The Consumer Price Index shows average grocery costs rose 0.3% in September after a 0.6% jump in August, leaving prices 2.7% higher than a year earlier and 1.4% above January, when Trump returned to office. Most categories climbed, with beverages and bakery up 0.7% each; dairy fell 0.5%. Since last September, coffee is up 18.9% and beef and veal 14.7%. Food economists, including Michigan State’s David Ortega, say tariffs and an immigration crackdown have contributed to this year’s increases.

Prepared by Anthony Ross and reviewed by editorial team.