May 23, 2008 4:00 pm US/Eastern
3 On Your Side: Costly Holiday BBQ's
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Are you planning a big barbeque this Memorial Day weekend? Make sure you check those circulars before you do your shopping.
That's because of the cost of a barbecue is up six percent from last year.
3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan has a look at some of those picnic favorites that will be taking a bigger bite out of your budget.
Backyards all over will be filled this weekend not just with people but food, and lots of it.
"Potato salad, pasta salad, hot dogs, hamburgers barbeque chicken, whatever anybody brings," said ShopRite customer Caroline Mears.
"We buy it and cook it and they come and eat it," said ShopRite customer Joyce Moore.
"We'll have kielbasa and barbeque sauce, hot dogs hamburgers, barbeque chicken, we're going to have shish kabobs," said ShopRite customer Catherine Corr.
All the traditional favorites. But shoppers Catherine have noticed all the fixin's for her barbeque are up significantly from last year.
"It's ridiculous, it really is," said Catherine.
She made sure to buy her hot dogs on sale. But on average a package of eight is up 27 cents.
You'll pay a lot more for the buns too. They cost 24 cents more.
Like potato salad? It's going to cost you. Mayonnaise has gone up 13 percent. That's 43 cents a jar!
Potato chips are 41 cents a bag more.
And it's not just the food. Paper plates are even up 22 cents a package.
"Everything's going up everywhere," said Caroline.
Food inflation is the highest in almost two decades, driven by steadily increasing fuel prices along with heavier demands for things like wheat and corn.
And while some shoppers are likely to cut back, there are those who want to make sure this year's unofficial start of summer, is just as good last year's.
"It doesn't happen that often, it gets everybody together, so it's worth it," said Caroline.
The news isn't all bad. The lowest increases of all the barbecue staples? Beef and beer. Both are up just a little over one percent.
Still, with all of these price increases, it's more important than ever, to keep your eye out for sales … and ask your relatives to bring the side dishes!
RELATED LINKS:
Acme Markets
Genuardi's
Pathmark
ShopRite
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