According to the latest informal Wisconsin Farm Bureau Marketbasket survey, the total cost of 12 food items used to host a summer cookout for ten totaled $75.50, an increase of 7.5% from last year’s state average. At $7.55 per person, this price marks the highest total for the summer Marketbasket survey since its inception in 2013.
“Wisconsinites can expect to see a higher total when shopping for their Fourth of July barbeque,” said WFBF Senior Director of Public Relations Cassie Sonnentag. “From availability to inflation, we are seeing increases across many of the food items on the shopping list.”
The same survey conducted on the national level by American Farm Bureau totaled $73.82, a jump of 4% from last year’s national average.
Ground Beef Drives State Increase
The increase of Wisconsin’s picnic price is largely driven by the cost of ground beef, which came in at $7.30 per pound, a 23.3% increase over the 2025 average. This increase is due to a combination of a tight cattle supply and a continued demand for beef.
According to the Beef Checkoff, nearly three-quarters of consumers eat beef weekly, and more than one-third rank it as their top protein choice. Protein content is a motivation for those who choose to eat more beef, as well as its role in healthy diets and because it is quick and easy to prepare.
“While consumers are seeing higher prices due to limited cattle supplies and strong demand, ground beef continues to be a versatile, nutritious protein that can stretch across multiple meals,” said Wisconsin Beef Council Executive Director Tammy Vaassen. “Looking for sales, stocking up when prices are lower and freezing extra product are great ways to save.”
The adaptability and affordability of ground beef makes it a summer staple, especially across summer holidays. Ground beef sales surpass $337 million in sales for Memorial Day, and $422 million during the week of July 4th.
Additional Price Drivers
Ground beef was not the only staple item seeing an increase. Fresh strawberries increased 25.5% to $8.10 for a two-pint package, and vanilla ice cream increased 25.3% to $4.67 for a half gallon. Additional items, including chocolate chip cookies, pork chops, potato chips and beans also saw marginal increases contributing to this year’s price.
While shoppers in the West continue to face the highest food prices, AFBF’s national survey showed tighter price averages across the Midwest, Northeast and South. The results point to a narrowing gap in grocery costs across regions that have traditionally seen wider differences.
Fluctuating prices at the grocery store are not an indication of higher paychecks for farmers, however. Increased on-farm costs on inputs such as fuel and fertilizer continue to impact farmers’ bottom dollar.
“Farmers are price takers, not price makers,” said Sonnentag. “Costs on the farm continue to rise while farmers continue to receive less than six cents of the food dollar after accounting for expenses.”
Ways to Save
Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Gather Wisconsin is an online resource you can leverage to learn more about your food, including smart ways to save. The website includes information on seasonal shopping, brands local to Wisconsin and food safety guides.
“Identifying local food brands, taking advantage of sale prices and buying what’s in season are simple ways to reduce your overall spend,” added Sonnentag.
These resources and more are available now at www.gatherwisconsin.com.
The July Cookout Survey is part of Farm Bureau’s Marketbasket series, which also includes an annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey.
Members of Wisconsin Farm Bureau collected price samples of 12 food items in 19 communities across Wisconsin in June.
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