July 4 cookout costs are at a record high. How are food prices in Wisconsin?
Amid soaring inflation rates, Fourth of July cookout prices are poised to hit record highs this year — and though total grocery costs are lower overall in Wisconsin, shoppers in Wisconsin may have to spend more than the national average on a few key items.
On average, people nationwide can expect to spend $71.22 on a cookout for 10 people, up 30% from five years ago, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The total cost is the highest since the Farm Bureau began its survey in 2013, which recruits shoppers across the country to calculate the average cost of 12 cookout staple items.
This year also marks the first time the cost per person is higher than $7 nationally, according to the Farm Bureau.
Wisconsinites, meanwhile, may enjoy slightly more reasonable prices overall: in a similar survey, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau found the cost of 12 cookout food items add up to $66.38 on average across the state. The number is actually down a few cents from last year and comes out to less than $7 per person.
On average, seven of the 12 cookout items are cheaper in Wisconsin than the rest of the country. However, Wisconsin shoppers might find themselves paying steeper prices for pork and beans, potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, strawberries and lemonade, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, which collected prices in 23 communities across the state in June.
And the costs of extra ingredients, supplies and seasonings can add up even more beyond those 12 items. After surveying about 9,000 people, the National Retail Federation estimated Americans will spend an average of $90.42 on food for Fourth of July festivities this year. Though the Retail Federation did not specify how many people the average survey respondent would be cooking for, the total cost is still nearly $25 higher than the Wisconsin Farm Bureau estimated cost for 10 people.
Why are cookout costs rising nationwide?
Rising food costs are largely in line with the country’s surging inflation in recent years, according to the Farm Bureau. Though economic forecasters have predicted inflation rates will gradually ease this year, inflation combined with rising supply costs have shaken up the farm economy.
The American Farm Bureau attributes the rising cost of strawberries to both labor shortages and wage increases, since strawberries are a labor intensive crop. Lemonade costs are also on the rise, between an 11% spike in sugar prices and falling lemon production after a bacterial infection outbreak among citrus plants in California.
Nationally, the price of chicken decreased since last year, but beef and pork prices rose 11% and 8%, respectively. The spike in beef prices comes as the country’s cattle inventory is at its lowest in 73 years. Prices for dairy items, like sliced cheese and ice cream, are also up as milk production slows across the country.
Wisconsin dairy farms are no exception: the state lost 30% of dairies from 2017 to 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Census of Agriculture. As of Feb. 1, Wisconsin had 5,644 milk cow herds, compared to more than 9,000 dairy farms in 2017. A confluence of shifting consumer preferences and dropping milk prices have seen Wisconsin dairies in crisis for years.
In general, the state had 58,521 farms in 2022, a 10% loss since 2017.
Average prices of cookout foods in Wisconsin vs. the U.S.:
Two pounds of ground beef: $11.12 in Wisconsin vs. $12.77 nationally
Two pounds of chicken breasts: $7.46 in Wisconsin vs. $7.83 nationally
Two pounds of pork chops: $13.35 in Wisconsin vs. $15.49 nationally
One pound of cheese: $3.15 in Wisconsin vs. $3.57 nationally
One package of hamburger buns: $2.18 in Wisconsin vs. $2.41 nationally
Two and a half pounds of homemade potato salad: $3.12 in Wisconsin vs $3.32 nationally
Half gallon of ice cream: $3.89 in Wisconsin vs. $5.65 nationally
32 ounces of pork and beans: $3.06 in Wisconsin vs. $2.49 nationally
16 ounces of potato chips: $4.97 in Wisconsin vs. $4.90 nationally
13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies: $4.01 in Wisconsin vs. $3.99 nationally
Two pints of strawberries: $5.87 in Wisconsin vs. $4.61 nationally
Two and a half quarts of lemonade: $4.20 in Wisconsin vs. $4.19 nationally
Grocery store deals to check out this Fourth of July
Despite rising costs nationwide, you can still save plenty with some strategic shopping this Fourth of July. National and local grocery chains alike are running deals for the holiday, with many offering prices under the state and national average. Deals and availability in-person may be different from online sales, and grocery store hours may also fluctuate on July 4.
Here are a few sales to shop this week:
Walmart is selling an under-$50 cookout basket for 8 people, coming out to about $6 per person.
Aldi is offering a host of Fourth of July deals, including $2.39 per pound of ground beef, $1.69 per pound of strawberries and $1.79 for a 10-ounce bag of potato chips.
Woodman’s Market is also running a Fourth of July sale, with offers including $2.49 for ten hot dog wieners, $2.69 for an eight-ounce bag of Lay’s chips and $2.49 for 52 ounces of Simply Lemonade.
Sendik’s Food Market is offering online deals, including $3.99 per pound of jumbo cherries and $3.99 per pound of pork baby back ribs.
Metro Market is offering digital deals on Fourth of July food items this week, especially on chips, sodas and crackers. Sign in online to view prices, or visit your closest location for in-person deals.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: July 4 groceries costs at record-high, Wisconsin prices remain stable
