By: Isabelle Puente

With Independence Day just around the corner, people are preparing to hit the supermarkets with a grocery list in hand and high inflation – on their minds.

While the rate of inflation may not be what many perceive it to be, it might affect what you purchase.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average price of ingredients for a
Fourth of July cookout for 10 people is $73.82 or $7.38 per person. This includes holiday staples
such as cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, potato salad, pork and beans, strawberries, lemonade, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

What will these ingredients cost you in Jackson though? Well, if you were to shop at Kroger on University Parkway you’re looking at an average cost of $74.25.

While the price may seem high, it is still only a 43 cent difference from the national average.

Also, compared to 2025 prices, we’re looking at a $3.33 increase.

People across the country are starting to notice these increases which helps fuel the thought of high inflation.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture consumers could be looking at another 3.2 percent increase on food-at-home items.

Consumers could also be looking at a 3.6 percent increase on food-away-from-home items.

These increases will especially affect items such as beef, veal, fish, seafood, fresh fruit, fresh
vegetables, sweets, and non-alcoholic beverages. However, this does not include items like eggs, dairy products, fats and oils which there is hope for a decrease in costs.

For more information about current costs and inflation rates, you can visit American Farm
Bureau Federation website as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

Here’s a list of groceries that cost $3.33 less in 2025 – NOTE: Golden Media Group checked prices at Kroger on University Parkway and added condiment items not listed in 2025.

 Cheese Slices: $3.99, Kraft, 16 slices

 Lemonade: $2.99, Country Time Lemonade, 19 oz

 Strawberries: $5.89, 2 LB

 Ground Beef: $5.99, Kroger 80/20 Ground Beef Roll, 1 LB

 Pork Chops: $10.00, Kroger 5 Bone-In Pork Loin Chops, 36 oz

 Chicken Breast: $13.01, Heritage Farm Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, 1 LB

 Hamburger Buns: $2.49, Bunny White Hamburger Buns 2x, 8 pack

 Ice Cream: $6.99, Kroger 1883 Vanilla Ice Cream Party Pail, 1 gal

 Potatoes: $3.49, Kroger Russet Potatoes Bag, 5 LB

 Relish: $2.50, Heinz Sweet Relish Bottle, 12.7 oz

 Mayo: $4.49, Hellmann’s Real Mayo, 15 oz

 Eggs: $1.55, Kroger Grade A Extra Large White Eggs, 12 count

 Celery: $3.99, Kroger Celery Hearts, 16 oz

 Chocolate Chip Cookies: $4.99, Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, 16.5 oz

 Pork n Beans: $1.89, Van Camps Pork and Beans Canned Beans, 28 oz

TOTAL: $74.25