Data collected nationally from volunteer shoppers highlights that nearly all cookout items have seen price increases, notably ground beef and lemonade.
On a positive note, prices for chicken breasts and potato salad ingredients have seen decreases due to a decline in avian influenza impacts and somewhat stable egg prices.
The escalating costs are causing widespread concern among consumers, who are increasingly faced with difficult financial decisions regarding their dietary choices.
Despite these rising costs, it is important to consider that the proportion of income Americans spend on food remains relatively low globally, offering a broader perspective on domestic food affordability challenges.