By Jamie Martin
According to the latest Summer Cookout Cost Survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation, families are facing steep increases in food prices.
This year, the average cost of a summer meal for ten has soared to $71.22, approximately $7.12 per person, marking a 5% increase from last year and a staggering 30% rise over the past five years.
The survey, which involved volunteer shoppers from every state, indicates significant price hikes across most items, particularly ground beef and lemonade, with increases of 11% and 12% respectively.
There is some relief with slight price reductions in chicken breasts and potato salad ingredients, attributed to recovering chicken populations and stable egg prices despite a high average.
This surge in cookout costs is placing considerable financial pressure on consumers, compelling them to make tough choices about their food consumption.
While these prices are climbing, it's noteworthy that Americans generally spend a lower percentage of their income on food compared to other countries, providing some context to the global economic landscape regarding food expenditures.
Photo Credit: american-farm-bureau-federation
Categories: National