With the July 4th holiday coming up next week, people across the country are making plans for cookouts and barbecues. While making food at home is always cheaper than dining out, this year’s food could be pretty pricey, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
- Their annual report on the cost of a typical Fourth of July cookout has just come out, revealing that it should cost $71.22 to feed 10 people.
- That comes out to just $7.12 per person, which sounds pretty low, but the total is up 5% from 2023.
- It’s also the highest per-person cost since the Farm Bureau started tracking these prices in 2013.
- The amount comes from volunteer shoppers across the country who share their costs from stores in every state and Puerto Rico.
- While the numbers show a year-to-year double-digit increase in the price of beef and lemonade, the cost of chicken breasts and potato salad are down slightly.
So what can you feed 10 people for $71.12? The Farm Bureau’s report finds that total will get you:
- 2 pounds of ground beef, $12.77 (+11%)
- 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $7.83 (-4%)
- 3 pounds of pork chops, $15.49 (+8%)
- 1 pound of cheese, $3.57 (+1%)
- 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.41 (+7%)
- 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.32 (-4%)
- 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.49 (+2%)
- 16 ounce bag of potato chips, $4.90 (+8%)
- 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.99 (+2%)
- Half gallon of ice cream, $5.65 (+7%)
- 2 pints of strawberries, $4.61 (+1%)
- 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.19 (+12%)
Source: American Farm Bureau Federation
Scott's Thoughts:
- Where do they do their shopping? Because I’m clearly overpaying at my grocery store!
- Would $72 even cover the cost of beer and paper plates? I must have a different KIND of cookout than these people.
- With respect to our restaurants, this is still cheaper than going out.