Hoosiers gearing up for Fourth of July cookouts should be prepared to spend more for their grocery shopping. According to the Indiana Farm Bureau, the average cost of a cookout feeding 10 people in Indiana this summer is estimated at $69.47, or $6.95 per person. This reflects an eight percent increase compared to last year's prices.
Indiana's market basket price is approximately three percent higher, or 18 cents more, than the U.S. average of $6.77 per person. Notably, this is the first time since 2019 that Indiana's total market basket price has surpassed the national average.
The market basket price of $69.47 includes essential items such as ground beef, cheese, hamburger buns, pork chops, chicken breasts, pork and beans, potato salad, strawberries, chips, ice cream, cookies, and lemonade.
Factors contributing to the price hike include ongoing food inflation, particularly for items that involve extensive processing, labor, and transportation. Non-perishable goods like cookies and chips, which don't require immediate sale, tend to be impacted by these factors. However, it is worth noting that the survey was conducted prior to the Fourth of July sales, so shoppers may encounter slightly reduced prices at grocery stores.
The Indiana Farm Bureau's survey, conducted in collaboration with the American Farm Bureau Federation's national survey, provides valuable insights into the changing costs of cookout items and helps Hoosiers make informed decisions while planning their Independence Day celebrations.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-ARTQU
Categories: Indiana, Business, Livestock, Hogs, Beef Cattle