The price for an average Fourth of July picnic is still very affordable, at a cost of less than six bucks a person. Casey Langan with The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says the most expensive items on the list are typically the meat.
“This year we look at hot dogs, pork spare ribs, and hamburgers, and ground round … meats aside, food prices in general are really stable in 2013.”
Recent droughts have taken a toll on the nations cattle heard — and its food supply — causing the prices to rise.
AUDIO: Casey Langan :34
In addition to the meat of choice, the food on the list includes potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, chocolate milk, and lemonade.
The average cost for a summer picnic for 10 hungry mouths is $57.20 or $5.72 per person, according to American Farm Bureau Federation’s national survey of 14 food items. In Wisconsin that same food averaged $55.92 or $5.59 per person — a total of $1.28 less than the national survey.
“I think consumers might be surprised to know that it is truly affordable and at prices that might be less than they pay when they go through the drive through.”
While retail grocery prices have gradually increased over the last three decades, the farmer’s share of the food dollar has steadily declined over the last couple of decades, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At 16 cents per dollar, the farmer’s share of the $55.92 grocery bill in Wisconsin would be just $8.95.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 2:00