WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages rose 0.2% in June, climbing to 227.6 from 227.1 in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The 0.2% gain followed advances of 0.4% in both April and May, but marked the smallest month-over-month gain of the year.

The food index also rose 0.2% in June after rising 0.4% in April and May.

Leading the upward movement in the month was the index for cereals and bakery products, which rose 0.6% in June to 259.8. The index gained 0.1% in May and 0.1% in April.

Dairy and related products, which rose 0.8% in May, also again finished higher, rising 0.5% to 212.3.

The index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 0.3% to 166.9 behind strength in the coffee index, while the index for other food at home increased 0.5% to 197.

The meats, poultry, fish and eggs index, which increased 1.5% in May and 1.1% in April, fell back 0.4% to 223.6.

Also finishing lower was the index for fruits and vegetables. The index, which fell 1.1% in April and 1.3% in May, eased 0.3% in June. The B.L.S. attributed the decline to a continued drop in the fresh vegetables index.
The overall Consumer Price Index fell 0.2% in June to 224.3. With the decline, the index now has increased 3.6% over the past 12 months.