Fourth Of July Cookout Spending To Hit Record High Amid Inflation

Individual spending on Fourth of July food items has risen to $93.34 on average across the U.S., the highest the National Retail Federation (NRF) has recorded since it began collecting this information in 2003.

The cost of one person’s July Fourth foods rose about 10% over the past year from $84.12, according to NRF. Inflation remained twice as high as the Federal Reserve’s target in May, according to a Labor Statistics (BLS) report, and the price of energy and food increased 4.0% on an annual basis last month.

Inflation hit 9.1% in June 2022, its highest point since 1982, according to the BLS.

From 2014 to 2020 the cost of Independence Day food for one person rose from $68.16 to $76.49, and the rate of cost increase picked up considerably after President Joe Biden took office in 2021.

Much of the cost increase can be attributed to cookout purchases and spending on fireworks and other celebrations, according to NRF. About 87% of Americans will be celebrating this year, up slightly from 84% over the past two years.

Beer prices have jumped 8% over the past year, while chips are up 15%, bread is up 22% and ground beef is up 1%, according to a recent Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute report.

In total, Americans are projected to spend $9.5 billion on Fourth of July food items, NRF found.

NRF surveyed 8,225 consumers June 1 – June 7, and has a margin of error of 1.1%.