PROVIDENCE, RI – In response to the October 24th, 2025 release of the September 2025 Consumer Price Index by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos issued the following statement:

“The Consumer Price Index data released today shows that food is continuing to become less and less affordable. The cost of food is up another 3.1% over the last year. Staples of our diets are spiking drastically in price - apples and bananas are up over 5% each, meats are up 8.5%, and milk is up 2.1% year over year.¹ 

“The federal government is unwilling or unable to address the affordability crisis. Our state government has the power to address some root causes of spiraling food prices: broken markets, bad corporate actors, and deceptive and unfair pricing.^{2, 3}

“Today’s new inflation data redoubles my commitment to passing the Fair Price Grocery Agenda, eliminating food deserts, and restoring healthy competition to our food retail economy. Until we take action, the basics will continue to become unaffordable to Rhode Island families.”