Fourth Of July Cookout Costs Hit Record High In Wisconsin
Farm Bureau finds feeding 10 people now tops $75 as inflation and tariffs push prices up.
As America celebrates 250 years, Wisconsinites will pay a record-high total for an Independence Day cookout.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s annual survey of grocery store prices found the cost to feed 10 people was $75.50, the highest total recorded since the survey started in 2013.
It’s a 7.5 percent increase from last year’s total, and reflects a number of economic pressures driving up costs for consumers and farmers, according to Cassie Sonnentag, senior director of public relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.
“Prices for everything from aluminum that goes into canned goods, or fuel, fertilizer, input costs on the farm — all of those things are up, and that all affects that food price,” she said.
Many of these changes can be linked back to increased tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump’s administration in 2025 and the impact of the ongoing war in Iran.
Unlike in previous years, Wisconsin’s meal total came in $1.68 higher than the national average, which was also at a record high in the survey.
Survey prices are typically been lower in Midwest states compared to regions like the West Coast. But Sonnentag said increasing processing and transportation costs have pushed regional prices higher to match or in some cases to exceed the national average.
“It’s truly just an indicator of where the economy is at and the challenges that we are facing when it comes to inflation,” she said.
The biggest price driver was ground beef, which cost an average of $14.60 for two pounds at Wisconsin stores. It’s more than 23 percent higher than last year, when beef prices were already rising.
Years of drought in Great Plains states have led to a shrinking U.S. beef herd and ranchers struggling to increase production.
Tammy Vaassen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Beef Council, said demand for beef at the national level has remained strong, driving prices higher even in states like Wisconsin where cattle numbers have remained steady.
But she said consumers are changing their eating habits as they feel the pressure of higher costs in areas outside of food.
“They are trending toward dining out a little bit less,” Vaassen said. “Rather than going to a restaurant and ordering a steak, we do see them buying more at the grocery store and being a little more price-sensitive.”
She said beef demand tends to spike during the summer months, especially around holidays like July 4th when people celebrate by lighting up the grill.
Other foods on the annual survey also saw double-digit increases. The cost of a 32-ounce can of pork and beans was up 27 percent from last year, likely tied to the impact of increased tariffs put in place by the Trump administration on imported aluminum used for cans.
The prices of fresh strawberries were also up nearly 26 percent from 2025. A freeze in February caused more than $300 million in damage to Florida’s strawberry crops, limiting availability and driving up prices.
The cost of potato salad was down 14 percent in the annual survey. Potato producers in Wisconsin and other top states are struggling with an oversupply of potatoes due to strong crops and reduced export demand.
For price-conscious consumers, Sonnentag said July 4th weekend might be a good time to take advantage of holiday sales at grocery stores.
“Specifically for beef or any of the protein products, if there’s an opportunity to stock up when the prices are low and be able to freeze that product, that’s a great way to save,” she said.
Vaassen said consumers can save by choosing alternative cuts of meat, like an eye of round steak instead of a ribeye, which she said can be just as enjoyable with a little extra preparation time.
Cost of July 4 cookout hits record high in Wisconsin, US was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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