How much will Americans spend on Fourth of July food this year?
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How much will Americans spend on Fourth of July food this year?
Celebrating the Fourth of July
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Comments: by Andrew Dorn - 07/02/26 9:48 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Andrew Dorn - 07/02/26 9:48 AM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING (NewsNation) — The average American is expected to spend a record $94.41 on food this Fourth of July as millions prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
While only slightly higher than last year, the figure is more than $20 above its pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to the National Retail Federation. All told, Americans are expected to spend $9.4 billion on food alone this Fourth of July, up from $8.9 billion in last year’s survey. But higher food costs aren’t stopping the party.
Some 87% of consumers plan to celebrate Independence Day, a share that has remained remarkably stable in the NRF’s survey since 2009, except during the pandemic. Most (62%) plan to celebrate with a cookout, while 44% intend to watch fireworks or attend a community celebration. Grocery shoppers will find a mix of higher and lower prices on Fourth of July staples this year.
Ten of the 12 Independence Day staples tracked by the American Farm Bureau Federation cost more than they did a year ago. The retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef rose 5.5% to $14.06 as ranchers continue rebuilding their herds after years of severe drought, according to the AFBF. Pork and beans saw the largest increase, rising 13.8%, while strawberries climbed 12.4% after a damaging frost in Florida, along with higher labor, fuel and transportation costs, the report noted.
How 📚 JSTOR Daily Covers It
Take a moment to contemplate the history and complexity of Independence Day, American Style. Share Copy link Facebook LinkedIn BlueSky Threads Reddit WhatsApp Email By: The Editors July 2, 2026 July 2, 2026 1 minutes The icon indicates free access to the linked research on JSTOR. Happy (US) Independence Day!
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