But there are many ways to cut the food budget yet still enjoy fresh foods all year round.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It's no secret to consumers that the cost of food seems to be ever-increasing, making mealtime more expensive, especially for the summertime grillers.

Last month, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released information about their traditional Fourth of July market basket survey that indicated the Independence Day meal was costlier than last year. 

In fact, the survey found that to feed a group of 10 in 2024 it would have cost $71.22 up five percent from last year and up 30 percent from five years ago.

But for those who spend much of their summer months on the grill, that rising cost of most food including the summertime favorites isn't noticeable just on holidays or weekends.

The AFBF survey focused on cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, potato chips, pork and beans, fresh strawberries, homemade potato salad, fresh-squeezed lemonade, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream.  

For meat lovers, ground beef, pork chops, and chicken breast account for 50 percent of the total cookout cost, and this year, two pounds of ground beef will cost an average of $12.77, up more than $1, or 11 percent, from last year.

Pork chops rose eight percent nationally, up over $1 from last year, to $15.49 for a three-pound package. And in California where that state’s Proposition 12 bans in-state meat sales from animals whose production didn’t meet California’s animal welfare standards, regardless of where they were raised, the pork chop cost reached $19.91.

If there is a bright side for the meat sector, it comes by way of poultry. Two pounds of chicken breast cost an average of $7.83, a four percent decrease since 2023 and down over 13 percent from the record high in 2022.

The AFBF market basket report also stated changes in the non-meat summertime favorites.

“American cheese slices were relatively stable, only up one percent to $3.57 this year versus $3.53 in 2023. However, a half-gallon of ice cream will add $5.65 to your grocery bill, up seven percent from last year. One package of hamburger buns will cost you $2.71, seven percent more than 2023,” the survey noted.

And while potato salad fell in price by four percent over the 2023 level, the eggs used to make it cost more. Fortunately, that was offset by lower potato prices.

Pork and beans are up two percent from 2023 but are still down from 2022 and a large bag of chips cost $4.90 on average, up eight percent from last year.

Rounding out a summertime meal and included in the AFBF survey were chocolate chip cookies which saw a two percent increase from 2023, two pints of strawberries which cost $4.61 on average this year, and a drastic price increase for fresh-squeezed lemonade because of lemon prices jumping 13 percent and an 11 percent increase for sugar.

With all of these food price increases, consumers are feeling the pinch with every trip to the grocery store, but there are ways to help cut the family food budget.

Dayna Fentress, the Family and Consumer Science agent at the University of Kentucky (UK) Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Hardin County Extension Office said even with the rising cost of food, there are ways to save when it comes to grocery shopping.

“As a mom of four, the grocery bill is one of those that just keeps going up and up, and I, myself am trying to figure out how to cut some of those costs,” she said. But there are a couple of different things that you can do, and you have to do what works for yourself.”

One of those things is the tried-and-true use of coupons. Fentress said the average consumer may not get deep into the world of couponing but can use them at those times when they really need them.

“Using coupons works for a certain percentage of people,” she said. “If you are organized enough and are willing to go through the sale ads or look online and get the coupons and learn how to stack them and what you can use when, then absolutely, coupons are a wonderful resource that can help you cut costs dramatically.”

Loyalty programs that many stores offer are another way to save money, Fentress emphasized. But there are things consumers can do before they go to their local store that will help cut down on unnecessary buying.

“Take an inventory of what you already have and when you make your grocery list, don't just make a list, make a grocery menu,” she said. “Then, if you know what you're going to cook, you can make your grocery list based on that. But you can also take inventory of what's already in your pantry and what you don't need to buy.”

Another good idea in making that grocery list is to abide by it when you start shopping.

“Even if you don't take the inventory, or you don't make the menu plan, and just have a regular grocery list, stick to it,” Fentress said. “Studies have been done that show we spend way less money at the grocery store when we actually stick to our list.”

For many consumers, they have turned to local food venues such as farmers' markets to get fresher, seasonal commodities, or they are growing their own gardens. In doing so, many have also turned to freezing or canning what they don’t use and having fresh foods all year round. 

“We see a lot of interest, especially here at the extension office where we teach those things, with people wanting to freeze or preserve, and that's a wonderful way to do it,” Fentress said. “One of my other suggestions is to consider buying things in bulk, whether that is some of the non-perishables or even some of the perishables. Go to the local farmer's market and buy things while they're in season, and then you can preserve or freeze them and have them all year long, and that's a great way to save money.”

She also points out that, while some may think that the local food venues are more expensive, consumers can actually save money when they preserve their unused portions and have those foods at another time.

One thing buyers should keep in mind when buying at the local farmers’ market is that these goods will be seasonal for the most part.

“Planning ahead and purchasing in bulk within those seasons can help you enjoy your favorite foods all year, while also supporting your local economy,” Fentress said.

Consumers should also note that fresh fruits and vegetables are not the only thing you can buy in bulk. They can also get many of the meats in larger portions, dividing them into the needed portions for a meal and freezing the rest. This will save money and reduce food waste.

Whatever venue a person chooses for their food, the key to saving money is educating one’s self in how best to save.

“Being an educated consumer not only will save you money but then you can support the things that matter to you,” Fentress said. “We are easily swayed by good marketing, or by sales, but that educational piece can go a long way for sure.”

These and other tips on your food supply can be found in the UK extension offices located in all 120 counties.