• From the New York Times:
"Food prices were flat for a second straight month in April, relief for many Americans who have faced higher costs at the grocery store in recent months.
That is a big improvement from February, when prices rose 0.4 percent over the month.
"Prices for food at home fell 0.2 percent in April compared with the month before. Prices for food at restaurants continued to pick up, rising 0.4 percent over the month, a slight decline from 0.6 percent in March.
Despite the relief in food price growth, costs are still much higher than they were before the pandemic. Overall, food prices have climbed 7.7 percent over the last year.
"Prices for fruits and vegetables decreased 0.5 percent over the month, and the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs also declined 0.3 percent. Prices for milk fell 2 percent, the largest decline since February 2015. Egg prices, which spiked after an outbreak of avian influenza and the cost of fuel, feed and packaging rose, fell 1.5 percent after a 10.9 percent decline in March.
"Prices for cereals and bakery products rose 0.2 percent, down from 0.6 percent the month before."
• Associated Food Stores (AFS), a provider of groceries and other goods and services to independent retailers in nine Intermountain states, and Symbotic Inc., an A.I.-enabled robotics technology company, "announced they have entered into a commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s A.I.-powered robotic warehouse automation technology in AFS’ Utah distribution center.
Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, with robotic case pick capabilities, will allow AFS’ distribution center to improve a variety of retail-facing experiences, including overall supply, expanded selection and delivery of products to stores."
