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. That comes out to just below $7 per plate.
Prices have remained high since the 2023 survey which saw the highest national average since the survey was initiated in 2013.
“Wisconsinites can expect to spend a bit more this Fourth of July holiday,” said WFBF Senior Director of Public Relations Cassie Sonnentag. “These prices are a reflection of inflation and lower availability of certain food items.”
Ground beef, pork chops, chicken breasts and eggs saw notable increases in this year’s state survey. Both eggs and chicken breasts are seeing elevated prices, although lower than record highs earlier this year as chicken populations recover from avian influenza across the country.
Both the state and national survey saw increases in ground beef prices. While the national average is up 4.4% at $13.33 for two pounds, the state average came in at $11.85, a 6.6% jump from last year. According to American Farm Bureau Federation’s economists, these prices reflect fewer cattle available for processing which impacts the country’s supply.
A notable difference between the state and national survey was found in the price of pork chops. Nationally, three pounds of pork chops are down 8.8% from last year at $14.13. Wisconsin, however, saw a 4.3% increase, ringing in at $13.93.
However, inflated grocery store prices are not an indication of higher paychecks for farmers.
“Farmers are price takers, not price makers,” said Sonnentag. “Costs at the farm level are up, as well, while the farmer’s share of the food dollar remains at just 15 cents.”
Despite ongoing concerns about inflation and tariffs, the Food Industry Association reports that shopping habits have remained stable. American shoppers are using apps, lists and budgets now more than ever to stretch food dollars. Two-thirds of grocery shoppers report using online grocery services and 12% report using these services almost exclusively.
With the rise in use of these services, it is comforting for shoppers to know they can still support farms close to home even as they explore ways to stretch their budgets.
“Identifying local food brands, taking advantage of sale prices and buying what’s in season, regardless of how you shop, is a simple way to reduce your overall spend,” added Sonnentag.
Gather Wisconsin is an online resource that you can leverage to learn more about these topics. The website includes information on seasonal shopping, brands local to Wisconsin and food safety guides.
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.