(Indianapolis, IN) - A Fourth of July cookout this year in Indiana will cost about five percent more than last year.

 

That’s according to Indiana Farm Bureau's annual summer cookout market basket report. The report shows Hoosiers are paying an average of $71.49 for a cookout feeding 10 people this summer.

 

"Inflation is slowing slightly, prices are leveling out and supply chain issues that have been prevalent for the last few years are slowly getting worked out, so we are seeing just a slight increase in prices compared to the last few years here in Indiana," said INFB Chief Economist Dr. Todd Davis.

 

The total estimate price for a cookout includes ground beef, cheese, hamburger buns, pork chops, chicken breasts, pork and beans, potato salad, strawberries, chips, ice cream, cookies, and lemonade, INFB said.

 

The two items that saw the largest increase in price were ice cream and strawberries, which are 31% and 19% higher in cost than last year.

 

Only ground beef and pork chops were more affordable in Indiana this year.

 

"When you're shopping, look for the bargains on the protein side," he said.

 

According to the USDA, just 16 cents of every retail food dollar spent goes back to farmers. The rest is for food processing, packaging, transportation, wholesale and retail distribution, and food service preparation.