It’s time. The July 4th weekend has finally arrived. For the past week, Americans all over the country have been stocking up on food, fireworks, and drinks to celebrate the independence of the United States. While the country might be torn as the Biden administration continues to push agendas and narratives, when it comes to celebrating freedom, most, if not all, can agree that there might not be anything sweeter on the menu. Although the coolers are iced and the grills cleaned, due to inflation and food shortages, many families have noticed the massive influx of common goods like ground beef, pork & beans, and chicken. All three have seen over a 30% increase from last year. Not to mention, one year ago, President Joe Biden praised how the White House was saving Americans an average of 16-cent per cookout. 

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which recently released their 2022 report on the cost of goods, the average cookout, consisting of 10 people, will average around $70. In 2021, the same cookout would have cost only a little over $59. With a 17% increase, not only are Americans taking notice if they can find the items in stock, but even the news has started to report on the rising cost of celebrating America’s independence. Take a look. 

Discussing the climbing cost and strain on the American people, AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan was sure to admit that farmers are also struggling. “Despite higher food prices, the supply chain disruptions and inflation have made farm supplies more expensive; like consumers, farmers are price-takers, not price-makers. Bottom line, in many cases, the higher prices farmers are being paid aren’t covering the increase in their farm expenses. The cost of fuel is up, and fertilizer prices have tripled.”  

Adding his take on the issue, President of the AFBF, Zippy Duvall, warned, “The increased cost of food and supplies is a very real concern in our country and across the globe. U.S. food assistance programs and food banks help those who struggle to make ends meet here at home, but the story is much different around the globe as food insecurity skyrockets. The big impact of a single event in Ukraine shows how dependent the world is on stable, productive agriculture.” 

Breaking down the individual cost of popular items for the July 4th cookout, the report revealed the following:

2 pounds of ground beef, $11.12 (+36%)

2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, $8.99 (+33%)

32 ounces of pork & beans, $2.53 (+33%)

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3 pounds of center-cut pork chops, $15.26 (+31%)

2.5 quarts of fresh-squeezed lemonade, $4.43 (+22%)

2.5 pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.27 (+19%)

8 hamburger buns, $1.93 (+16%)

Half-gallon of vanilla ice cream, $5.16 (+10%)

13-ounce bag of chocolate chip cookies, $4.31 (+7%)

2 pints of strawberries, $4.44 (-16%)

1 pound of sliced cheese, $3.53 (-13%)

16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.71 (-4%)

It should be noted that the AFBF is the largest farm organization spanning over 50 states and Puerto Rico. 

This piece was written by Zach Heilman on June 30, 2022. It originally appeared in RedVoiceMedia.com and is used by permission.

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