Business

(NEW YORK) — Inflation is at its highest point in nearly 40 years and the cost of food has steadily climbed month over month across multiple categories from groceries to takeout.

The Labor Department announced Tuesday that the Consumer Price Index jumped 8.5% in March compared to a year ago, which is the sharpest increase since December 1981.

Prices have soared as a result of massive consumer demand, supply chain disruptions from labor shortages to increasing fuel costs as well as global food and energy markets made worse by the current Russian war against Ukraine.

On Monday, ahead of the latest CPI numbers being released, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki addressed the media and said they expected headline inflation on food “to be extraordinarily elevated due to Putin’s price hike.”

While the new CPI was largely in line with expert predictions, inflation climbed 1.2% compared to last month and consumers have seen the impact, especially on food products.

“It is a reminder to us — that we need to do more to reduce cost for the American people,” Psaki continued. “This data will be a reminder of the need to do something and take additional steps.”

In March, the overall increase in the food index was one of the three largest contributors to inflation, according to the report Tuesday.

The food at home index, which includes groceries, saw a 1.5% jump in the last month. Plus, fresh produce climbed another 1.5% this month after an already 2.3% increase in February for fruits and vegetables. Since the same time period last year, the food at home index has jumped 10% annually, also marking the biggest increase since 1981.

The meats, poultry, fish and eggs index within the food at home bracket has gone up 13.7% since last year. Dairy and other at home grocery food groups ranged from a 7 to 10.3% increases.

Products like “meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased 1% percent in March, while the index for cereals and bakery products rose 1.5% and the index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 1.2% over the month,” the report stated. “The dairy and related products index also increased 1.2% in March.”

The food away from home index — which spans limited service options like coffee shops to sit down restaurants — only rose 0.3% in March. But in the last year, the category rose 6.9% overall which was the largest 12-month increase since December 1981.

Consumers have felt the pinch and taken notice of pricier food products, especially with aspects of daily life resuming in the U.S., like returning to the office and getting back into a lunch routine.

Although many Americans were quick to tap or swipe a credit card for the convenience of sandwiches and salads, the prices of a bowl of greens has gone up 11% since last year, according to Square. The technology company told ABC news last month that in a 28-day rolling average of standard lunch items nationally, it found the cost sandwiches has gone up 14% and wraps 18% since last year.

The one contrast of the report was for food at employee sites and schools. That category declined 30.5% over the past year and reflects the widespread implementation of free lunch programs.

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(NEW YORK) — From snacks and condiments to drinks, more consumer product goods have leaned into environmentally responsible practices. As food businesses continue to adapt to the times, it’s easier than ever for shoppers to support brands with products that taste great and help the earth along the way.

Whether it’s a fully sustainable supply chain, ethically sourced ingredients, upcycling or zero-waste packaging, these are a handful of brands who are doing it right:

West~bourne

The zero-waste pantry line from plant-based restauranteur and chef Camilla Marcus utilizes low-impact plastic-free packaging such as sustainably-sourced wood cellulose pouches, sugarcane paper labels and soy ink.

The California-based company commits to low-impact products and a transparent supply chain, offsetting its carbon footprint on each order through investing in The Garcia River Project, a redwood forest preservation and management project that protects carbon reservoirs, preserves wildlife habitats, reduces the risk of wildfires and safeguards the California watershed.

Blue Stripes

Founder and CEO Oded Brenner left his successful international chocolate restaurant chain to forge a new path in the industry working with farmers in Ecuador to utilize the entire cacao fruit — shells, beans, fruit and all — to create wholesome nutritent-rich treats that take upcycled food to the next level.

“I am thrilled to finally share Blue Stripes, an urban cacao wellness brand, with the world and showcase the diversity of the cacao fruit,” Brenner said. “Especially because until today more than 70% of the fruit was wasted, and by using the entire fruit, we’re forming a sustainable structure that is a win/win for the consumer, farmer and the planet.”

His 15 products help curb wasteful practices and utilize every aspect of the crop; from the whole granola that’s made with a proprietary cacao shell flour to the cacao water made from the white, fleshy pulp that surrounds the beans.

“Upcycling ingredients is not just a way of bringing delicious products to consumers, but is also our duty to Mother Nature,” he added.

Sun & Swell

This zero-waste, plant-based, organic, healthy foods brands is helping alleviate the snack industry of plastics with their fully compostable packaging. With sustainability as its main priority, the company works to create a circular food economy by turning its over 100 products’ packaging back into farmable soil.

“We offer a send back program where [customers] send the used packages back in a prepaid return envelope and we will compost for them,” the company stated. “We have a number of composting partners and once we sort through the returned packages at our headquarters — we bring them to our partners to compost. Our bags will decompose within 180 days in an industrial compost setting.”

LesserEvil

The brand is on a mission to make healthy, organic, less-processed and sustainable snacks more affordable and accessible for everyone.

“We understand that the products we sell have an effect on not just our own health but on that of the planet,” CEO Charles Coristine said in a statement. “The agricultural practices — and their resulting waste practices — that bring food to our customers’ homes directly impact the environment.”

From plant-based Sun Poppers made from upcycled watermelon and pumpkin seeds and PeaNOTS made with water-efficient organic peas, LesserEvil offers a wide range of sustainable snacks.

The company also partners with NEO Plastics to package all of its snacks and help minimize waste and their overall carbon footprint.

ZenWTR

Not many beverage brands can boast a sustainability model that is plastic negative — a company that supports companies in the reduction of disposable plastic until its complete elimination. In fact, ZenWTR was the first and only to receive such certification for its innovative bottles, which are made of 100% recycled, certified ocean-bound plastic.

The vapor-distilled alkaline water company supports new recycling economies by creating demand for ocean-bound plastic and is on track to rescue 50 million pounds of it by 2025.

The brand’s unique supply chain — rescuing and reusing this category of waste to create a product — could change how other food and beverage brands think about plastic. Plus, 1% of its sales go directly to charities and organizations that are dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans and marine environments on top of recycling education and advocacy.

Minor Figures

The recently certified B Corp and sustainably minded coffee company makes 100% plant-based, dairy- and refined sugar-free products for coffee lovers, baristas and a better planet.

The company, which is one of a small handful of carbon neutral food and beverage companies, called it’s certification earlier this month, “more than just a sustainability label” but rather, “a movement with the collective goal of transforming the global economy to benefit people, communities, and the planet.”

“At the time of writing, we’re one of just 4,856 B Corps globally and we’re proud to be among the ranks of companies setting the new standard for the way business should be done,” the company said.

Compostic

While not a food product for consumption, this company said it created the first 100% home-compostable, zero-waste functional alternative to Cling Wrap and Resealable Bags. Plus, the easy sustainable swaps break down in home compost quicker than an orange peel.

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(MENLO, Iowa) — President Joe Biden traveled to Iowa on Tuesday for his first time as president to announce new efforts to bring down gas prices as the administration faces an 8.5% jump in the consumer price index compared to a year ago, which it attributes mostly to what he called “Putin’s Price Hike.”

“Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should on hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away,” Biden said, appearing to ad lib that Russia’s actions in Ukraine amount to “genocide” for the first time. The U.S. government has an internal process for designating whether genocide has occurred, and other Western nations haven’t made the determination.

Biden was asked directly last week if he thought the atrocities in Bucha were genocide, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed, but responded at that time, “No, I think it is a war crime.”

But on Tuesday, he said: “Yes, I called it genocide. Because it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian. And the evidence is mounting.”

The president also offered brief remarks on the subway shooting in New York City from Menlo, Iowa, before pivoting to his plan to ease gas prices amid intensifying inflation.

The March CPI report released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed inflation is at its highest point in the U.S. in more than 40 years as rising prices have an impact on consumers worldwide. Prices were up 1.2% compared to just a month ago, the report said, raising concerns that, if the Federal Reserve gets more aggressive in raising interest rates to temper inflation, that might trigger a recession.

“Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has driven up gas prices and food prices all over the world,” Biden said. “So everything is going up. We saw it in today’s inflation data. Seventy percent of the increase in prices in March came from Putin’s price hike in gasoline.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki tried to preemptively cushion the blow of the report numbers on Monday. She said the White House expected a large difference between core and headline inflation, pointing to the price of gas as the main reason for the discrepancy.

“Just as an example, since President Putin’s military buildup in January, average gas prices up more than 80 cents. Most of the increase occurred in March and gas prices, at times, prices were up more than a dollar above pre-invasion level. That roughly 25% increase in prices will drive tomorrow’s inflation rating,” Psaki said.

To address those prices, Biden announced Tuesday he issuing a temporary, emergency waiver for the summer to allow the sale of “E-15” — a blend of gas with 15% ethanol, rather than the usual 10%, which the White House says will bring down gas prices by 10 cents a gallon. Usually, E-15 is not sold in the summer because it’s believed to add to smog.

“The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to issue an emergency waiver to allow E15 gasoline that uses more ethanol from homegrown crops to be sold across the United States this summer in order to increase fuel supply,” Biden said. “It’s not going to solve all our problems. But it’s going to help some people and I’m committed to do whatever I can to help. Even if it’s an extra buck or two in the pockets.”

But the move will have a limited impact: Only 2% of gas stations around the country carry E-15, mostly in the Midwest. The White House countered a question from ABC News on whether the impact would be insignificant for Americans.

“Ultimately this is about giving Americans more options and more flexibility,” a White House official said ahead of the president’s remarks. “President Biden knows that every cent matters and families will see savings even after taking into consideration the difference in energy efficiency.”

Inflation and even gas prices have been on the rise even before the invasion of Ukraine. A new ABC News/Ipsos poll found Americans are more likely to place a “great deal” or a “good amount” of the blame for the price increases on Democratic Party policies (52%) and Biden (51%) than on Republican Party policies (33%) and former President Donald Trump (24%). A strong majority of Americans (68%) also disapproves of the way Biden is handling gas prices.

Biden’s trip to Iowa comes with the midterm elections seven months away. It’s a state he spent a lot of time in amid the 2020 campaign, but ultimately lost to former President Donald Trump by nine points.

While his remarks are set to focus on his administration’s actions to lower gas prices and the bipartisan infrastructure law passed last year, Biden might feel obligated to address Tuesday’s report, which showed increases in prices for gasoline, rent and food were the largest contributors to inflation for Americans. Gasoline prices rose 18.3% compared to a month ago and were a major contributor to inflation; other energy prices also increased. Food prices increased by 1% and the food at home prices by 1.5%.

Aside from food and energy, rent was the biggest factor in the price increases. Airline fares, household furnishings and operations, medical care and motor vehicle insurance also contributed to inflation. Used cars and trucks fell 3.8% compared to a month ago.

The report, though in line with expectations, does nothing to temper concerns that the Federal Reserve has a tough job ahead of it in cooling this inflation without sparking a recession.

ABC News’ Sarah Kolinovsky and Zunaira Zaki contributed to this report.

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(MENLO, Iowa) — President Joe Biden traveled to Iowa on Tuesday for his first time as president to announce new efforts to bring down gas prices as the administration faces an 8.5% jump in the consumer price index compared to a year ago, which it attributes mostly to what the White House calls “Putin’s Price Hike.”

The March CPI report released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed inflation is at its highest point in the U.S. in 41 years as rising prices have an impact on consumers worldwide. Prices were up 1.2% compared to just a month ago, the report said, raising concerns that, if the Federal Reserve gets more aggressive in raising interest rates to temper inflation, that might trigger a recession.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki tried to preemptively cushion the blow of the report numbers on Monday. She said the White House expected a large difference between core and headline inflation, pointing to the price of gas as the main reason for the discrepancy.

“Just as an example, since President Putin’s military buildup in January, average gas prices up more than 80 cents. Most of the increase occurred in March and gas prices, at times, prices were up more than a dollar above pre-invasion level. That roughly 25% increase in prices will drive tomorrow’s inflation rating,” Psaki said.

To address those prices, Biden will announce he plans to issue a temporary, emergency waiver for the summer to allow the sale of “E-15” — a blend of gas with 15% ethanol, rather than the usual 10%, which the White House says will bring down gas prices by 10 cents a gallon. Usually, E-15 is not sold in the summer because it’s believed to add to smog.

But the move will have a limited impact: Only 2% of gas stations around the country carry E-15, mostly in the Midwest. The White House countered a question from ABC News on whether the impact would be insignificant for Americans.

“Ultimately this is about giving Americans more options and more flexibility,” a White House official said. “President Biden knows that every cent matters and families will see savings even after taking into consideration the difference in energy efficiency.”

Inflation and even gas prices have been on the rise even before the invasion of Ukraine. A new ABC News/Ipsos poll found Americans are more likely to place a “great deal” or a “good amount” of the blame for the price increases on Democratic Party policies (52%) and Biden (51%) than on Republican Party policies (33%) and former President Donald Trump (24%). A strong majority of Americans (68%) also disapproves of the way Biden is handling gas prices.

Biden’s trip to Iowa comes with the midterm elections seven months away. It’s a state he spent a lot of time in amid the 2020 campaign, but ultimately lost to former President Donald Trump by nine points.

While his remarks are set to focus on his administration’s actions to lower gas prices and the bipartisan infrastructure law passed last year, Biden might feel obligated to address Tuesday’s report, which showed increases in prices for gasoline, rent and food were the largest contributors to inflation for Americans. Gasoline prices rose 18.3% compared to a month ago and were a major contributor to inflation; other energy prices also increased. Food prices increased by 1% and the food at home prices by 1.5%.

Aside from food and energy, rent was the biggest factor in the price increases. Airline fares, household furnishings and operations, medical care and motor vehicle insurance also contributed to inflation. Used cars and trucks fell 3.8% compared to a month ago.

The report, though in line with expectations, does nothing to temper concerns that the Federal Reserve has a tough job ahead of it in cooling this inflation without sparking a recession.

ABC News’ Zunaira Zaki contributed to this report.

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(NEW YORK) — Inflation is the highest it has been in more than 40 years, according to a new economic report. The Consumer Price Index numbers for the month of March show that inflation is up 8.5%, compared to one year ago.

The Federal Reserve is hopeful that new interest rate hikes could ease demand and, ultimately, lead to lower prices.

ABC’s Rebecca Jarvis provided more details Tuesday on Good Morning America:

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(NEW YORK) — If you haven’t already filed your taxes, you have just one week left to do so. Tax Day for most Americans is April 18.

With the deadline drawing near, ABC News’ Eva Pilgrim appeared on Good Morning America Monday to share tips that can help you maximize your return:

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(NEW YORK) — Many parents across the country are scrambling to find baby formula amid a nationwide shortage.

Nearly 30% of popular formula brands may be sold out at stores across the U.S., according to a firm that tracks what’s stocked on the shelves, and that has led some stores to limit the amount of formula products customers can buy.

The shortage is the result of multiple factors, including inflation, supply chain issues and a formula recall.

As for when parents can begin to see stocked shelves again, ABC News’ Eva Pilgrim says some companies have ramped up production “but it’s going to take a few weeks before we really see that shortage ease.”

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(NEW YORK) — Last month, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a climate change legislative package that included a goal to have every passenger car registered or sold in the state be an electric vehicle starting in 2030.

Other states may be following Washington’s lead.

Rhode Island introduced a bill last month that also set a 2030 goal for 100% EV registrations in the state. Lawmakers in Hawaii previously introduced a bill that would mandate new model vehicle registrations be EVs starting in 2030.

Environmental experts told ABC News that while Washington and other states that set the 2030 registration deadline face uphill battles, including creating a strong charging infrastructure, their legislative moves could have a major impact on the rollout of EVs in the country.

“It’s aggressive but it’s OK to have aggressive goals to move the market,” Gregory A. Keoleian, a professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability and director of the Center for Sustainable Systems, told ABC News.

Washington state’s bill, which was signed on March 25, set a goal to make “all publicly owned and privately owned passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later … an EV by 2030.” The 2021 version of the bill originally proposed mandating all new registrations starting in 2030 be an EV, however, that was changed during the current session.

An interagency state committee is tasked with completing a report by the end of 2023 to lay out concrete plans on what the state has to do to meet the deadline.

Keoleian acknowledged that Washington’s proposal still has a way to go, but it is similar to other state environmental laws that have contributed to carbon footprint reductions.

Specifically, he likened the EV goal to state-issued renewable portfolio standards, which gave utilities a deadline to provide a percentage of their energy from renewal sources.

Thirty-one states have renewable portfolio standards in place and “half of all growth in U.S. renewable electricity generation and capacity since 2000,” has been associated with those policies, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Keoleain said Washington’s 2030 EV registration goal will make it an easier sell for car manufacturers, charging companies, car dealers and other parties to increase their EV output.

“Having the states set policies that are going to ensure sales are going to be electric will be important for the industry making the vehicles. You’ve got to create a market in order for [automakers] to get moving,” he said.

Last year, General Motors announced it would only sell EVs by 2035 and Ford announced at least 40% of its lineup will be EVs. Their moves took place after California first announced its 2035 deadline for electric vehicle registrations.

A report by AAA Washington found that in order for Washington to have only zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2030, there needed to be a 40% annual increase in EVs. There were 50,520 EV registrations in Washington as of Dec. 30, 2020, trailing California, Florida and Texas with the most EV registration in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Deepak Rajagopal, an associate professor at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, also told ABC News that Washington state’s 2030 goal and the similar proposals are bold but they come with a huge risk.

Rajagopal noted that the country’s EV charging infrastructure is still way behind where it should be to accommodate the needs of current EV engines and motorists’ demands.

“A policy like this will have some positive impact and there will be probably more investments in Washington State, but will it be big enough to help meet the target? That’s a question that no one really has an answer to,” he said.

As part of the bill, Washington state will invest nearly $74 million to develop charging infrastructure in “rural areas, multifamily housing, office buildings, schools and other public locations” and state run sites, Rajagopal also said.

Even with uncertain success, Washington’s 2030 EV registration deadline “might raise other states’ ambitions,” and have a bigger impact nationally, Rajagopal said.

If more states adopt the goal, or if Washington shows significant progress in its plan, the federal government would be pushed to speed up its plans to increase EV adoption and improve EV infrastructure, Rajagopal added.

President Joe Biden’s zero-emission executive order issued last year took a lot of policies from a similar proposal enacted in California, he said.

“It really matters what the big states do,” Rajagopal said. “If they lead the charge with EV adoptions and succeed, other states and Washington (D.C.) won’t hesitate to take the risk.”

Keoleian said he wouldn’t be surprised if other states jump on the 2030 deadline fast, especially since the country is facing a gas crisis with no end in sight.

“All of the pieces are needed. We need the vehicles to be built, we need the demand for consumers, and we need the charging infrastructure,” he said.

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(NEW YORK) — Eating with the seasons is a great way to consume produce at peak freshness when it’s full of nutrients and flavor. Plus, it supports local and regional growers.

When it comes to spring, there’s a period of cold snaps in some areas that mean the burst buds will break a bit later in some areas. But everyone can expect an array of seasonal fruits and veggies soon.

Check out a list below of what’s in season from April through June.

Make sure to check your local farmers markets or seasonal growing calendar because produce availability can differ by location based on harvest and yield.

• Asparagus*
• Beans
• Beets**
• Beet greens*
• Broccoli**
• Cabbage**
• Herbs
• Lettuce*
• Mesclun
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Peas**
• Radishes*
• Rhubarb*
• Scallions*
• Spinach*
• Squash*
• Apples
• Strawberries**

* Indicates May and June

**Indicates only June

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(NEW YORK) — Most people have gone to open the fridge, pulled out an ingredient or moved around some jars just to realize that something that got moved or neglected has now gone bad.

Registered dietitian and mother of two Alyssa Miller offered her insight on what she considers a fool-proof way to help curb food waste.

“This is my need to use bin that lives right here all the time,” she shared in an Instagram post. “I put food in it, not necessarily leftovers, but food that I need to eat before it goes bad.”

To reorganize her fridge, Miller has labeled shelves and added a bin that she says has saved her up to $400 per month on groceries.

“I needed to figure out a way to make sure I was using all of the foods I was buying,” Miller told ABC News’ Good Morning America. “It’s more for those foods that need to be eaten in the next day or two because they’re kind of like on the clock.”

Each week, Miller said she does a sweep of everything in her fridge and looks for anything close to expiring.

“Maybe it’s a cucumber I had half cut up for a salad earlier that week and I know that it’s about to start to go slimy, so I’ll put it in that ‘need-to-use’ bin,” she said.

Another fridge suggestion that Miller abides by is dividing foods up by category and using clear bins to easily sort and access them, without leaving items to go bad in the way back.

Like other organization pros including the ladies of The Home Edit, Miller advises taking inventory of your fridge each week to make sure you don’t buy items you already have.

A great way, especially for families, to save on groceries is meal planning.

“Having some sort of plan really does save you money,” Miller said.

She also added that frozen and canned foods are another great way to stretch your dollar.

To make a need-to-use bin, start with a clear bin that fits in a prominent section of your fridge and then clearly label the bin with tape and a sharpie.

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