By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – That trip to the grocery store cost a bit more this month, according to the Alabama Farmers Federation's monthly food price survey. Overall, the federation said food prices jumped four-point-five percent this month with the average cost of 20 basic market basket items costing 45-dollars, 55 cents. That's about a buck-99 increase from September. The federation said the hikes were led by skyrocketing tomato prices and modest gains for meat and poultry. In Alabama, tomato prices hover between two-40 and three-dollars a pound this month. Last month, tomatoes averaged a dollar-one cent a pound. Dairy products -- milk, ice cream and butter -- all were up about seven cents. But some bargains were available. Shoppers paid less for eggs, lettuce, red potatoes and sweet potatoes. The federation said a breakdown by region showed shoppers in south Alabama paid the most for a market basket at 46-dollars, 58 cents. The cheapest food prices, on average, were found in northwest Alabama at 43 dollars, 86 cents. The survey was conducted October first to the eighth.