No relief in forecast for rise in food prices

Washington • The Agriculture Department said Friday that consumers can still expect higher food prices next year, but the expected increase was unchanged from last month, even as extreme heat in the Farm Belt continues to reduce the grain harvest and increase feed prices for livestock. According to the latest Agriculture Department consumer food price index, overall food prices are expected to increase 3 percent to 4 percent next year largely because of the drought, the same as last month’s fore...