INDIANA — As Indiana residents gear up for Independence Day celebrations, they can expect a welcome reprieve at the grocery checkout. According to the Indiana Farm Bureau’s (INFB) annual summer cookout market basket survey, the cost of hosting a traditional Fourth of July cookout in Indiana has dropped compared to last year, bucking broader national inflation trends.
The survey reveals that feeding a gathering of 10 people in Indiana will cost an average of $66.73 this summer (or $6.67 per person). This represents a 7% decrease from 2025 prices.
Furthermore, Indiana shoppers are getting a significantly better deal than the rest of the country. The state’s market basket price is roughly 10% ($7.09) cheaper than the U.S. average of $7.38 per person. The Midwest region as a whole also trended slightly below the national average, signaling relief for neighboring states.
Defying National Inflation Trends
The drop in Indiana’s cookout costs comes as a pleasant surprise amid ongoing national economic pressures.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the prices our shoppers were able to find in Indiana this year because the national Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food at home has increased about 2.9%,” said INFB Chief Economist Dr. Todd Davis. “It’s important to remember, though, that this data is just a snapshot of what consumers are paying at the grocery store on any given day.”
The total $66.73 market basket tracks 12 staple items: ground beef, cheese, hamburger buns, pork chops, chicken breasts, pork and beans, potato salad, strawberries, chips, ice cream, cookies, and lemonade.
Potato Salad and Proteins Drive Savings
The single largest driver of this year’s savings is potato salad, which saw a staggering 56% price drop compared to 2025. Experts attribute this crash directly to the stabilization of the poultry industry.
“Egg prices were way above average this time last year, mostly likely due to the impacts of avian influenza, so those prices are now back to normal and even a bit lower than the national average,” Dr. Davis noted.
Shoppers also found unexpected savings on major proteins like ground beef (-6%) and pork chops (-2%). Because meat makes up roughly 54% of the total basket cost, Davis recommends that consumers shop around for the best local deals on proteins to maximize their savings.
Only four items on the list grew more expensive this year: cookies (+4%), strawberries (+3%), pork and beans (+9%), and chicken breast (+9%).
The Reality for Indiana Farmers
While consumers enjoy lower retail prices, the financial reality remains tight for the agricultural community. According to the USDA, just 11.8 cents of every retail food dollar spent goes back to the farmers. The remaining 88.2 cents covers food processing, packaging, transportation, wholesale, retail distribution, and food service preparation.
“Farmers are price takers, not price makers – just like consumers,” explained Randy Kron, INFB president. “Margins are still tight for farmers due to high supply costs because the amount farmers are being paid isn’t covering that increase in expenses.”
Kron added that Indiana farmers are continuously working to streamline their operations to keep production costs down while maintaining a steady supply of safe, affordable food globally.
Cost Breakdown: 2025 vs. 2026 Cookout Items
| Cookout Items (INFB survey) | 2025 Indiana Costs | 2026 Indiana Costs | % Change (2025 to 2026) | % Diff. (2026 U.S. vs. IN) |
| Ground Beef (2 lbs.) | $13.81 | $13.05 | -6% | -7% |
| Cheese (1 lb.) | $3.53 | $3.12 | -12% | -13% |
| Cookies (13 oz bag) | $3.83 | $3.98 | +4% | -6% |
| Ice Cream (half gallon) | $5.60 | $4.33 | -23% | -28% |
| Strawberries (2 pints) | $4.59 | $4.74 | +3% | -10% |
| Chips (16 oz bag) | $4.95 | $4.09 | -17% | -14% |
| Chicken Breast (2 lbs.) | $8.18 | $8.88 | +9% | +10% |
| Pork Chops (3 lbs.) | $14.57 | $14.30 | -2% | -3% |
| Pork and Beans (32 oz) | $2.62 | $2.85 | +9% | -7% |
| Hamburger Buns (1 pkg) | $2.16 | $1.85 | -14% | -27% |
| Lemonade (2.5 qts.) | $4.05 | $3.95 | -2% | -13% |
| Potato Salad (2.5 lbs.) | $3.60 | $1.59 | -56% | -45% |
| AVERAGE TOTAL PRICE | $71.49 | $66.73 | -7% | -10% |
About the Survey
The Hoosier state’s data was compiled in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) nationwide survey.
The INFB summer cookout market basket survey was conducted in early June by volunteer shoppers across the state. Volunteers logged prices for specific items at their local grocery stores, hunting for the best baseline prices without utilizing special promotional coupons or loyalty deals.
