Staple grocery price comparison food shopping in Bellingham

As the cost of food prices continues to rise, The Bellingham Herald compared prices for staples online and in-store at local stores monthly to find where you can save on groceries.

Prices at grocery stores have continued to rise throughout 2022, with food prices 10.6% higher in November 2022 compared to November 2021, and rising 0.2% between October and November this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As the new year begins, the USDA also predicts that in 2023 grocery prices will have a less dramatic increase of 3%-4%.

These increases have encouraged shoppers to find ways to save on groceries and check if they are eligible for food stamps or assistance programs.

Here are some prices we found at a few Bellingham grocery stores as of Friday, Jan. 6:

Gallon of milk

A gallon of Fred Meyer’s 1% milk is $3.39, the same as last month.

A gallon of Safeway’s Value Corner 1% milk is $3.49, down from $4.99 last month.

A gallon of Walmart’s Great Value 1% milk is $3.17, down from $3.27 last month.

A gallon of Haggen’s Value Corner 1% milk is $3.99, the same price as last month.

A gallon of WinCo Foods’ 1% milk is $3.17, down from $3.27 last month.

A gallon of Whole Food Market’s 365 1% milk is $3.99, the same price as last month.

A gallon of Trader Joe’s 1% milk is $3.79.

Dozen eggs

The price for a dozen eggs varies depending on egg size, grade and color.

Fred Meyer has a dozen Kroger Grade AA Large Eggs for $2.39, up from $1.99 last month.

Safeway’s dozen Lucerne Farms large eggs are $2.99, up from $1.99 last month.

Walmart’s dozen Great Value grade AA large eggs are $1.86, the same price as last month.

Haggen’s dozen grade AA large eggs are $3.49, up from $3.19 last month.

WinCo Foods’ dozen extra large eggs are $3.48, up from $1.86 last month.

Whole Food Market’s large white grade A eggs are $3.39, the same price as last month.

Trader Joe’s dozen cage-free, grade A large white eggs are $3.49.

Sandwich bread

Sandwich bread prices vary by weight and type of wheat.

Fred Meyer has a 20-ounce loaf of Kroger Enriched White Bread for $1.99, the same price as last month. That’s .09 cents an ounce.

Safeway’s 16-ounce Value Corner Bread loaf is $1.29, the same price as last month. That’s .08 cents an ounce.

Walmart’s 20-ounce loaf of white sandwich bread is $1.32, up from $1.10 last month. That’s .07 cents an ounce.

Haggen’s Signature Select 22.5-ounce white bread loaf is $2.19, the same price as last month. That’s .09 cents an ounce.

WinCo Foods’ white 20-ounce sandwich bread loaf is $1.28, up from $1.08 cents last month. That’s .06 cents an ounce.

Whole Food Market’s classic white 24-ounce loaf is $3.49, the same price as last month. That’s .14 cents an ounce.

Trader Joe’s white 22-ounce sliced bread loaf is $1.99. That’s .09 cents an ounce.

Cheerios cereal

Fred Meyer’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $3.99, the same price as last month. That’s 45 cents an ounce.

Safeway in Bellingham’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $5.99, the same price as last month. That’s 67 cents an ounce.

Walmart’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $3.98, up from $3.48 last month. That’s 45 cents an ounce.

Haggen’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $5.99, the same price as last month. That’s 67 cents an ounce.

WinCo Foods’ 18-ounce box of Cheerios is $5.47, the same price as last month. That’s 30 cents an ounce.

Whole Food Market’s 8.9-ounce box of Cheerios is $4.29, the same price as last month. That’s 48 cents an ounce.

Trader Joe’s 15-ounce box of Joe’s O’s Cereal is $1.99. That’s 13 cents an ounce.

Chicken breast

We also compared the prices of boneless chicken breasts.

At Fred Meyer, boneless skinless chicken breasts from the meat counter are on sale for $3.99 a pound but are normally priced at $4.49, the same price as last month.

At Safeway, a 2.5-pound bag of frozen boneless skinless chicken breast is $14.99, or $5.99 a pound, the same price as last month.

At Walmart, three pounds of frozen Great Value Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is $11.34, or $3.78 a pound, the same price as last month.

At Haggen, refrigerated boneless, skinless chicken breast from the meat counter is $4.99 a pound, up from last month’s price of $3.99 a pound.

At WinCo Foods, a 3-pound bag of frozen boneless chicken breast is $7.22, or $2.40 a pound, down from $2.65 per pound last month.

At Whole Food’s Market, refrigerated boneless, skinless chicken breast from the deli is $6.49 a pound, the same price as last month.

At Trader Joe’s, refrigerated organic and free-range boneless, skinless chicken breast is $6.99 a pound.