Price of 4th of July cookout reaches record high

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Your Fourth of July cookout now costs more than ever before.

Shoppers have noticed both their pockets and their bags getting lighter the grocery store.

“Before, with $100, you used to fill up the refrigerator,” shopper Jose Martinez said. “Right now, $100 is just two bags and that’s it. I don’t know. [Prices] just keep it going up and up.”

According to the American Farm Bureau , the cost of a Fourth of July cookout has reached a record high, topping more than $70 to feed 10 people.

Shoppers at stores across the Charlotte region say they feel the pain of the prices.

“I shop all the time for my family, and the last two years, three or four years, it’s really gone up, the price of chicken. And still, I realize high eggs are going back up again,” said Sandra Sherrer.

This year two pounds of ground beef cost nearly $13, which is a $1 increase from last year. Economists say overall cattle inventory is the lowest it’s been in 73 years.

“Meats, meats, meats… are hard to afford, I mean when you have a family that you’re trying to feed, it’s really hard to provide for your family,” Casey Oates said.

The price of buns are even up 7 percent from last year. The prices have shoppers pinching pennies and looking for deals.

“I don’t spend money like I used to be,” said Joni, another shopper. “You know, I just try to, you know, spend only if I, you know, can afford it. Other than that, I try to, you know, try to stay away from that.”

As the future remains uncertain, shoppers are doing their best to keep food on the table, without busting the budget.

“I don’t know what else to do except pay the price,” Oates said.

Shoppers will be relieved to learn, it’s not all doom and gloom, the price of potato salad and other sides are down. Another important note, depending on where you live and where you shop, prices are different, but economists say it will still cost about $7 per person to feed someone at a cookout.

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