The Fourth of July is always one of my favorite holidays on the farm. Each summer, my family celebrates our nation’s independence with delicious food and reflections on the dedication and sacrifice of those Americans who have fought to protect our country. Our family cookout is also a great time to look around and count other blessings, such as a healthy farm and family and a full plate of wholesome food.


AFBF’s Fourth of July Market Basket Survey

Every year, the American Farm Bureau Federation, with the help from our volunteer shoppers from across the country, calculates the average cost for a Fourth of July cookout. The survey includes popular items such as cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad and desserts such as ice cream and cookies.

This year, it will once again cost about $70 to feed 10 people, falling right under the 2024 price and making it the second-highest price we’ve seen since starting the survey.


Farmers’ Role in Food Affordability

There are many factors that can play into the price of our food, such as market volatility, inflation, supply chain disruptions, extreme weather and global unrest. And while our farmers are price takers not price makers, they play a critical role in keeping our food supply abundant and affordable. The U.S. is home to a safe and affordable food supply, with the average home spending a relatively small percentage of their budget on food.

American farmers take the responsibility of providing a safe food supply to heart because we know that food security means national security. The prices we pay and the abundance of safe food we enjoy are a testament to modern agriculture and the careful, science-based practices our farmers have followed for generations. As farmers, we also know that policies related to how we farm matter, and if policy decisions are not based on sound science, it could not only threaten the advancements we have made in agriculture but also place our home-grown food supply at risk.


The Future of Food Affordability

The need for science-based policies around agriculture and our food system is why we continue to engage in discussions around the Make America Healthy Again movement. Farmers share the goal of wanting to see our families, communities and nation healthier, and Farm Bureau believes it is critical that farmers and ranchers have a seat at the table as policies shaping our food and agriculture system are discussed.

Last week, we saw a positive first step toward involving farmers in the MAHA discussion, as several of our members were invited to the White House to share the story of modern agriculture with MAHA Commission advisors. This was a great opportunity to talk about the safety and innovation that drives agriculture, and the impact proposed policies would have on food security and affordability. But conversations like this one cannot be the last. If we want to protect a safe and affordable food supply in our country, farmers need a voice every step of the way.


A Fourth of July Reminder

The Fourth of July is a great chance to pause and appreciate the everyday freedoms we often overlook. From the simple ability to gather with loved ones to the plate of delicious food in front of us, we as Americans have a lot to celebrate. This year let’s also remember that those freedoms come with responsibility, and if we want to continue to enjoy blessings such as a table of affordable food, we need a system to support us.

Zippy Duvall, President,
American Farm Bureau