Batesville, Ind. — A survey from Indiana Farm Bureau says the backyard cookout this year will cost about $5.15 per person. The cost is based on a meal including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, ribs and watermelon.
The survey was conducted by 21 volunteer shoppers around the state. The shopping list included ground round, hot dogs, watermelon, buns, pork ribs, American cheese, baked beans, corn chips, potato salad, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup and mustard.
“As we gather together to celebrate our independence, many of us enjoy a cookout outdoors with family and friends,” said Isabella Chism, INFB’s second vice president. “A traditional barbeque with hamburgers, hotdogs and ribs will cost shoppers just a little less this year.”
This year, there were small but notable shifts in the price of ground round, watermelon, pork spare ribs, potato salad and chocolate milk. The price of hot dogs, buns, American cheese, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade and ketchup and mustard remained relatively flat.
| Cookout Items (INFB survey) | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
| Ground round (2 lbs.) | $9.24 | $9.46 | $8.26 |
| Hot dogs (1 lb.) | $2.02 | $1.79 | $1.82 |
| Hamburger buns (1 package) | $1.40 | $1.30 | $1.49 |
| Hot dog buns (1 package) | $1.48 | $1.37 | $1.51 |
| Pork spare ribs (4 lbs.) | $11.60 | $11.28 | $10.28 |
| American cheese (16-slice package) | $2.92 | $2.95 | $2.53 |
| Baked beans (28-ounce can) | $1.83 | $1.75 | $1.86 |
| Potato salad (1 lb. prepared) | $8.28 | $7.80 | $9.84 |
| Watermelon (4 lbs.) | $3.96 | $3.79 | $4.27 |
| Corn chips (15 oz. bag) | $3.15 | $3.36 | $3.31 |
| Lemonade (premixed, half gallon) | $1.91 | $2.08 | $1.96 |
| Chocolate milk (half gallon) | $2.43 | $2.50 | $1.96 |
| Mustard (16 oz. bottle) | $1.41 | $1.40 | $1.32 |
| Ketchup (20 oz. bottle) | $1.11 | $1.02 | $1.09 |
| TOTAL | $52.74 | $51.85 | $51.50 |
Total Cost is based on a party of 10.
