According to the latest informal Wisconsin Farm Bureau Marketbasket survey, the total cost of 12 food items used to host a summer cookout for 10 totaled $66.38, down 0.5% from last year’s state average. Broken down by plate, the cost of a summer cookout in Wisconsin remains less than $7 per person.
The same survey conducted on the national level by American Farm Bureau totaled $71.22 which is 5% higher than last year’s national average – the highest national average since the survey was initiated in 2013.
“While we witnessed several price fluctuations across the items included in the summer marketbasket survey, the overall price in Wisconsin remained relatively stable from 2023,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Senior Director of Public Relations Cassie Sonnentag. “Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry lends itself to affordable food prices due to the availability and proximity to many of the survey’s items.”
NATIONAL AVERAGE BREAKDOWN
American Farm Bureau’s analysis revealed regional differences in the average cost for the meal.
| Region | Meal Cost |
| Northeast | $63.54 |
| Midwest | $68.26 |
| South | $68.33 |
| West | $80.88 |
Most notably, the average meal cost in the West drives the national average coming in at $80.88.
“California regulations are showing their effect on the cost of food in the West,” said AFBF Economist Bernt Nelson. “For example, as a result of regulations like Prop-12, we are seeing a 30% higher average price on pork chops in California compared to the rest of the country.”
While national food prices are up 30% in the past five years, Nelson reminds consumers of the overall affordability of our nation’s food supply compared to other countries.
“We have some of the most affordable food prices in the world,” added Nelson. “That affordability is all made possible by a strong farm bill.”
PRICE BURDENS ON FARM AND IN-STORE
While food prices fluctuate year-to-year, the farmer’s share of the food dollar has stayed steady at 15 cents on the dollar.
“Price-point pain is felt at the farmgate, too,” added Sonnentag. “Farmers are price takers, not price makers, and the high cost of fuel, fertilizer and other inputs continue to affect their bottom dollar.”
Inflation has taken its toll on consumers, as well. For ideas to help shoppers stretch their food dollars, visit Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s online resource, Gather Wisconsin. The website includes information on sustainable swaps within the home, clarification of best-by, use-by and sell-by dates, and a guide to food safety.
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 23 communities across Wisconsin in June.
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