July Fourth cookout prices lower this year for Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS — Hoosiers are paying an average of $66.73 for a cookout feeding 10 people this summer, or $6.67 per person — a 7% decrease compared to last year, according to a survey form Indiana Farm Bureau.

This price is around 10% less than the average U.S. price.

“Egg prices were way above average this time last year, mostly likely due to the impacts of avian influenza, so those prices are now back to normal and even a bit lower than the national average,” said INFB Chief Economist Todd Davis.

“The protein side of the market basket is where you should shop around for deals since those make up about 54% of the total cost.”

The total market basket price of $66.73 includes ground beef, cheese, hamburger buns, pork chops, chicken breasts, pork and beans, potato salad, strawberries, chips, ice cream, cookies and lemonade.

Fast Facts

• Potato salad saw the largest decrease in price, down 56%, this year compared to 2025.

• Cookies, pork and beans, strawberries and chicken breast were the only items that were more expensive compared to last year.

• Only 11.8 cents of every retail food dollar spent goes back to farmers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The rest is for food processing, packaging, transportation, wholesale and retail distribution, and foodservice preparation.

“Farmers are price takers, not price makers — just like consumers,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “Margins are still tight for farmers due to high supply costs because the amount farmers are being paid isn’t covering that increase in expenses.

“But Indiana farmers are committed to streamlining their operations to decrease costs of production as best they can, all while providing safe, affordable food not just for Hoosiers, but for families all over the world.”

More details about the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national summer cookout market basket results can be found at fb.org.