These Illinois Summer Grocery Items Are More Expensive Than Ever

Yesterday, we talked about the hardest items to find in Illinois grocery stores. Today, instead of covering more items that are in short supply, I thought we could take a look at foods you can find--but you'll be paying a lot more for them than you're used to paying.

You'll notice the cookout theme that runs through this piece, because many of the items that are skyrocketing in price are the same items that you probably throw on the grill throughout a Rockford summer.

"We'll each take one of those platters, please." (Getty Images)

Some of those, too. (Getty Images)

A Few Days Back, The American Farm Bureau Federation Released The Results Of A Survey On The Cost Of A 4th Of July Barbeque For 10 People

The American Farm Bureau Federation survey found that the cost of that barbeque has gone up 17% from one year ago. That cost is not unique to Independence Day, either.

Their survey found that the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $69.68, which breaks down to less than $7 per person. The overall cost for the cookout is up 17% or about $10 from last year.

"Honey, tell seven of our guests to go home." (Getty Images)

Here Are The Illinois Summer Grocery Items That Have Really Gone Up In Price

Before I give you the list, which item do you think has made the biggest price jump?

If you said, "ground beef!" pat yourself on the back, because you nailed it. The USDA is predicting that the cost of pork will go up somewhere between 7 and 8% this year, while other meat prices are expected to rise by 11.5 to 12.5%.

The American Farm Bureau Federation survey shows the retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef at $11.12, which is up 36% from last year.

Getty Images

As for the rest of the summertime grocery items with rapidly-increasing ticket prices:

2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, $8.99 (+33%)
32 ounces of pork & beans, $2.53 (+33%)
3 pounds of center cut pork chops, $15.26 (+31%)
2.5 quarts of fresh-squeezed lemonade, $4.43 (+22%)
2.5 pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.27 (+19%)
8 hamburger buns, $1.93 (+16%)
Half-gallon of vanilla ice cream, $5.16 (+10%)

Eggs, fish, and dairy are also going up, but I think we should be done for today.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.