FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A recent study done by the Indiana Farm Bureau showed that Hoosiers are spending an average of $69.47 on supplies for a cookout that would feed 10 people — an 8% increase from last year’s data.
With the total averaging out to about $6.95 per person, Hoosiers can expect to pay more for their summer celebrations. Similarly to the Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual market basket study, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Price Outlook for grocery costs showed an increase of 5.8% this past May when compared to May of the previous year.
The Indiana Farm Bureau’s data showed that Indiana’s market basket price is about 3% or 18 cents more expensive than the average cost of $6.77 a person. This is the first time since 2019 that the market basket price for Indiana was above the United States average. In addition, the cost is up 5% or 34 cents when compared to the average price for the Midwestern area.
“We are still seeing food inflation throughout the whole supermarket, specifically with items that require more processing, labor, and transportation,” said INFB Chief Economist Dr. Todd Davis. “This impacts items like cookies and chips that are non-perishable with no urgency to sell by a strict deadline, meaning grocery stores don’t need to discount to move inventory.”
| Cookout Items (INFB survey) | 2022 Indiana Total Cost | 2023 Indiana Costs | % Change of Indiana Costs (2022 to 2023) | % Difference between 2023 Indiana Costs and 2023 U.S. Average |
| Ground Beef (2 lbs.) | $10.88 | $12.16 | +12% | +5% |
| Cheese (1 lb.) | $3.57 | $3.54 | -1% | +0.3% |
| Cookies (13 oz bag) | $4.07 | $4.75 | +17% | +22% |
| Ice cream (half gallon) | $4.49 | $4.67 | +4% | -12% |
| Strawberries (2 pints) | $3.79 | $3.80 | +0.3% | -17% |
| Chips (16 oz bag) | $4.40 | $5.04 | +15% | +11% |
| Chicken Breast (2 lbs.) | $8.87 | $9.30 | +5% | +14% |
| Pork Chops (3 lbs.) | $15.15 | $15.12 | -0.2% | +5% |
| Pork and beans (32 oz) | $2.08 | $2.38 | +14% | -2% |
| Hamburger Buns (1 package) | $1.50 | $1.95 | +30% | -14% |
| Lemonade (2.5 qts.) | $3.13 | $3.66 | +17% | -2% |
| Potato Salad (2.5 lbs.) | $2.79 | $3.11 | +11% | -10% |
| AVERAGE TOTAL MEAL PRICE | $64.32 | $69.47 | +8% | +3% |
The market baskets include a variety of commonly bought grocery store food items such as ground beef, cheese, hamburger buns, pork chops, chicken breasts, pork and beans, potato salad, strawberries, chips, ice cream, cookies, and lemonade.
However, according to the Indiana Farm Bureau’s data, all of the items on the list are more expensive in Indiana in comparison to last year except cheese and pork chops, which didn’t change in price much. There were also individual items on the list that rang in under the national average like ice cream, strawberries, pork and beans, hamburger buns, lemonade, and potato salad, but chocolate chip cookies, chicken breasts, and chips came in significantly higher than the U.S. average.
As many have been struggling with the increased costs of food, the input prices for farmers have also increased. Along with the current drought impacting the Midwest, the feeding cost of livestock has resulted in an increase in meat prices.
According to data from the USDA, 14 cents of every retail dollar spent on food can be credited to the farmers. With that data, only $10 of the total cost of $69.47 for the market basket cost would go to farmers. The remainder of the cost is attributed to packing, processing, transportation, wholesale, preparation, and retail distribution.
“Like consumers, farmers are price takers, not price makers,” said Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president. “While food prices are increasing, the amount farmers are being paid doesn’t cover the sharp increase in their input expense. When our crops or animals are ready to sell, we have to sell at the current commodity price. This year’s summer cookout market basket reflects what Hoosiers are seeing when they go to their local grocery stores,” Chism explained. “Farmers are consumers too, and we experience the price increase at the grocery store as well as on the farm.”
The data collected by the INFB for the cookout market basket survey was conducted in early June through volunteer shoppers from across the country who recorded the costs of specific groceries from local grocery stores in their area. The volunteers were asked to search for the best prices possible without including promotional or coupon events.
“This survey was conducted before many stores offer Fourth of July sales, so if you go to the grocery store now you are likely to see slightly reduced prices than what this market basket shows,” noted Dr. Davis.
The survey for Indiana was done in cooperation with a national survey that was administered by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Those interested in learning more about AFBF’s national summer cookout market basket results can visit the Indiana Farm Bureau’s website.
