Journal Article

Labor Constraints and Strong Demand Are Driving Robust Food Services Inflation

Abstract: Although headline inflation has slowed in recent months, inflation for core services has remained elevated since the first half of 2021. Inflation for food services in particular has been significantly higher than inflation for goods and other services. We argue that food services inflation has been elevated by the sector’s fast rebound in expenditures and its high dependency on labor amid labor shortages and elevated labor costs.

Keywords: inflation; labor market; food prices; headline inflation;

Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Part of Series: Economic Bulletin

Publication Date: 2023-09-27

Pages: 4