We price-checked essentials at 4 grocery stores. Here's what we found

This story has been updated to correct one of the store totals.

Some Greater Akron residents are reassessing their grocery needs as the cost of food remains high.

In February, prices across various industries rose 2.4% from a year prior, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic's latest Consumer Price Index report . That was the same rate of rate of annual inflation found in January.

Grocery costs rose 0.4% in February, up from a .02% increase in January. The report states that, over the past year, food at home prices are up 2.4%. So, grocery prices are increasing at a slightly faster pace than they were in January .

To help local shoppers see how rising costs could impact their grocery budget, the Beacon Journal is monitoring the prices of 10 grocery essentials on a monthly basis.

In the future, the cost of each item may be assessed to see if and how inflation and other contributing factors have impacted grocery shopping in the Akron area.

The Beacon Journal visited four area grocery stores to check the prices of grocery staples and fresh produce. The specific grocery store locations were:

• Acme, 2147 East Ave., Akron.

• Aldi, 772 S. Main St., Akron.

• Giant Eagle, 484 E. Waterloo Road, Akron.

• Walmart, 2887 S. Arlington Road, Akron.

In each case, we selected the lowest-priced item available for the same size product in each food category. Ground beef options are family-size portions (2-3 pounds) and may vary in USDA beef quality grades.

Pricing on items can vary depending on where and when you shop. Our price checks were done on March 27. Items marked with an asterisk were on sale.

Note that the wheat bread assessed in previous price checks is now 100% whole wheat bread due to the former's change in availability at Walmart. The calculated totals in the chart below is not an apples-to-apples comparison this month due to Acme not having family portions of 80/20 ground beef available at the time that our price check was conducted.

Note: This story examines only on the price of specific grocery items and does not take into account the stores' amenities, community engagement or treatment of employees.

Got a story recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@usatoday.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Who has low prices? We visit Acme, Aldi, Walmart and Giant Eagle