You’ll pay roughly the same amount of money for your 4th of July cookout this year

Your Fourth of July celebration will cost roughly the same as last year, but inflation is still driving up prices on many cookout favorites.

The Farm Bureau’s “Cost of Summer Cookout” this year is landing at $7.09 per person, which is down $0.30 from last year, and is the second-highest since the survey began in 2013. Some items that will cost more this year include ground beef, pork and beans, and potato salad, but some cookout staples did come down in price.

Pork chops fell nine percent, chips are $0.10 cheaper, and hamburger buns fell nearly six percent over last year.

American Farm Bureau Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub joined RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander to talk about how this report compares to previous years, additional highlights from the survey, and what is contributing to the numbers.

Related Stories
Reducing mental stress and focusing on controllable actions can improve decision-making in high-pressure environments, according to Hollywood actor and former Calif Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030.
Long-term demand uncertainty is reshaping specialty crop strategies as producers adapt to fewer, older consumers.
FarmHER Nikki Boxler, aka The Maple Farmer, blends tradition with innovation, tapping into a bold new future for maple syrup.
USDA data indicates that 13.7 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate since 2014, even as most households remained food secure.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition shares how extreme winter weather is affecting the ag transportation network and what producers should keep in mind as conditions slowly improve.
Matt Brockman, Communications Director for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, joined us with a look at how the legendary event is moving forward—weather and all.
Roger McEowen, with the Washburn School of Law, offers an in-depth look at two of the top legal issues of 202. Today, he walks through last year’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruling and “lawfare.”
Lewis Williamson of HTS Commodities joined us with an update on the historic winter storm impacts and his outlook on today’s ag markets.
Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Tom McComas became involved with toy trains by accident and with reluctance. But his passion led to the creation of “I Love Toy Trains,” which quickly became TM’s best-selling title and one of the best-selling children’s videos in the country. More videos were produced, and the series began to win awards and gain national exposure in magazines and on TV.
The affable and unassuming international singing star Daniel O’Donnell is one of Ireland’s best known performers – from Australia to Alaska.
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming!
Celebrating 16 Consecutive Seasons on RFD-TV! “The Penny Gilley Show,” starring “The Sweetheart of Country Music” herself, Penny Gilley.
Ray’s Roadhouse is a weekly program featuring the music of Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Ray and his band Asleep at the Wheel has had a more than 50 year career in the music industry and over the years have earned nine Grammy Awards. The program also will feature guest performers such as Pat Green, Stoney LaRue and Kelly Willis.