While overall inflation remains well in check, grocery shoppers—especially meat lovers—are seeing rising prices. Food costs increased 2.2 percent from a year earlier in August, the Commerce Department reported this week. That was the strongest annual gain in food prices since June 2012. On a monthly, seasonally adjusted basis, food prices have increased in six of the past seven months. Meat is one category driving the gains.

Overall meat and poultry prices rose 7.8 percent in August from a year earlier. Specifically, beef and veal prices are up 15 percent during the 12-month span, and pork prices increased almost 12 percent.

U.S. food staples have increased in price by 0.9 percent over the past 30 days, according to Premise Data Corp., a firm that tracks food prices in real time. Premise figures are not seasonally adjusted.

The more recent gains are led by processed meats—including bologna and hot dogs—which have increased in price by 6.9 percent in the past 30 days. Fresh meats increased a milder 0.2 percent on the month. Premise and the Commerce Department categorize meat products slightly differently.

Vegetables prices rose by 3.9 percent in the last 30 days, according to Premise. That was the second-strongest gain of any category since late August.

Of the 13 broad food and drink categories Premise tracks, prices increased for 11 in the past month. The exceptions were fruit and seafood.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had estimated retail food prices rising between 2.5% and 3.5% this year, driven by drought in the West and rising milk demand from Asian countries.