Retail food prices in grocery stores were 10.8 percent higher in 1979 than in 1978. The largest Increase was for red meat, up 17 percent, reflecting a 24-percent increase in Choice beef prices. Higher farm values for food commodities, up 11.4 percent, accounted for a third of the increase. The spread between farm and retail prices (representing charges made for processing; and distributing foods after they leave the farm) was 11.9 percent wider and accounted for slightly over half the food price increase. Higher prices for fish and imported foods accounted for the remainder of the increase.