The American Farm Bureau just released its annual study on how much a summer cookout should cost . . . and it’s $55.70 for 10 people, or about $5.60 per person. That seems so cheap… And I am curious if it’s even possible?
According to the new report, you can buy: Eight hot dogs and buns . . . eight cheeseburgers and buns . . . pork ribs . . . potato salad . . . baked beans . . . chips . . . condiments . . . lemonade and chocolate milk . . . and watermelon for dessert.
I looked at this list and decided to see if it was possible to make this grocery list on the same budget, so I went shopping. When possible, I chose store brand items or items on sale.
I used a major chain grocery store’s website with a Hyannis zip-code and punched in the list and this is what I got:
8-pack Ball Park Franks $2.50 (on sale)
8-pack Hot Dog Buns $2.00 (store brand)
4-count Beef Burgers $4.99 (store brand) x2 … $9.98
8-count Hamburger Buns $1.34 (on sale)
American Cheese (16 slices) $3.99 (store brand)
Pork Ribs (4-ish pounds) $9.56
Potato Salad (1 lbs) $3.99 x2…. $7.98
Baked Beans (Bushes) $1.39 x2… $2.78
Potato Chips (Lays Family Size) $3.44 (on sale) x2… $6.88
Ketchup $2.49 (store brand)
Mustard $1.79 (store brand)
Relish $1.99 (store brand)
½ Gal Lemonade (Newmans) $2.00 (on sale) x2… $4.00
1 Gal Chocolate Milk (Garelick) $4.99
Watermelon (seedless) $5.99 (on sale)
CAPE COD TOTAL: $68.26 …. Or $6.83/per person for 10 people
I have to admit, this is closer in cost than I thought it would be. I was expecting upwards of $10 per person based on the list. Of course, MY guests tend to eat a little more than one burger and one hot dog… This also doesn’t include the cost of “Adult Beverages”.
Take it as a little “food for thought” and have a great 4th of July BBQ!
About Cat Wilson
