With the Fourth of July right around the corner, barbeque season is in full swing. According to the latest informal Wisconsin Farm Bureau Marketbasket survey, the total cost of 12 food items used to host a summer cookout for 10 totaled $69.03, an increase of nearly 4% from last year’s state average.
Nothing beats a Wisconsin style grill out on a summer day. At Gather Wisconsin we pride ourselves on using Wisconsin based food products to not only support local but to lower our grocery costs. We have compiled a list of Wisconsin food brands from items on the Marketbasket survey to use on your Fourth of July barbeque!
Chicken Breast and Ground Beef
The best part of a grill out is premier meat. Wisconsin is home to some of the best local butchers and meat processors who source their protein products from local farmers. We recommend shopping at your local butcher because nobody does quality meat like our local chicken and beef producers!
If you are unable to buy from a local butcher check out Pilgrims for chicken at your local grocery store.
Potato Chips
Potato chips are a great addition to a barbeque, grill out, and anything in between! The Lays Potato Chip Brand sources potatoes for their Classic Lay’s Chips from Heartland Farms in Hancock, Wisconsin. These potatoes are not only sourced with the care of local farmers but are sourced sustainably as well!
Baked Beans
Baked beans are an excellent side to any meal, especially during the summer. Looking for a sustainably sourced option? Try Bush Beans! With a plant located in Augusta, Wisconsin they take sustainable to the next level through effective water usage and recyclable cans!
Fresh Produce
It is currently strawberry season in Wisconsin and nothing beats local produce. You can grab some local berries at a pick-your-own produce farm near you. To find a local berry farm visit the Wisconsin Berry Growers website.
Wisconsin is also home to numerous vegetable growers across the state. Adding some in season vegetables like onions and potatoes can help bring your meal to the next level. Check out brands from Okray Family Farms, Gumz Farms, and Alsum Farms & Produce when shopping at your local grocery store.
Cheese
No Wisconsin meal is complete without some sort of cheese. Wisconsin is home to an endless amount of Wisconsin cheese brands. Look for the Wisconsin Cheese badge for more great options wherever you get groceries! One of the classic cheeses to top your burger is a slice of American cheese. Several brands you can check out that carry American cheese include Weyauwega Star Dairy, Inc., Nasonville Dairy, and Crystal Farms!
Ice Cream
The perfect way to end a meal is with a Wisconsin sourced sweet treat! Visit your local ice cream shop to find your next favorite flavor. If you are looking to bring a pint to your barbeque check out these Wisconsin brands: Chocolate Shoppe, Cedar Crest, and Schoep’s.
The July Cookout Survey is part of Farm Bureau’s Marketbasket series, which also includes an annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey.
Members of Wisconsin Farm Bureau collected price samples of 12 food items in 22 communities across Wisconsin in June.
‘*Disclaimer: Brands mentioned throughout this blog post are not affiliated with or compensated by Gather Wisconsin.