Inflation impacting the cost of 4th of July barbecues

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- People in Southern Colorado are navigating higher food prices for their 4th of July celebrations.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the cost of a cookout is up 17%.

Outside of a King Soopers in Colorado Springs, Kaley Jones says buying groceries for her family of three is impacting her budget.

"I mean obviously we are feeding a baby, and we choose to eat all organic and the prices are pretty astronomical. We’ve entered into a nanny share to bring that cost down, so we have enough to cover our grocery bills," said Jones.

James Dunston is feeling the pinch too.

"The prices are going up faster than my paycheck is," said Dunston.

For those hosting a party over the holiday weekend, it's no different. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, it will cost about $7 a person for a party of ten, which is a dollar more per person than last year.

The price of chicken, pork, and beans rose about a third or more over the last year. Ground beef prices soared this year, up 36%.

The higher prices are because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shrinkflation due to the pandemic. The rise in cost is forcing people to get creative when it comes to hosting.

"We threw a party on the second for his birthday. We had friends who chipped in on food and did more of a potluck style," said Jones.

Some other ways you can save include looking for value, buying generic brands, buying in bulk, and shopping for seasonal fruits and vegetables.