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Her shopping cart was overflowing with cases of water and other picnic necessities Friday at the Wal-Mart in West Manchester Township.
However, the East Manchester Township resident was making an effort to cut her costs.
This year, Fisher offered to provide her 45 guests with hot dogs, burgers and beverages and asked them to each bring a dish to share.
"No one minded," Fisher said. "I'm the one with the pool."
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer picnics and barbecues, and this year, Americans are going to have to deal with much higher grocery bills to host the affairs.
Hot-dog prices rose
Food inflation is evident in the most basic staples, driven in part by the increasing gas prices. The inflation is forcing many families to cut back on a weekly basis and, in some cases, to reconsider the extra costs associated with throwing backyard barbecues.
Here is what customers can expect to pay for some of the basic cookout staples at local grocery stores.
All prices are for the store-brand items as of Friday at the West Manchester Township location of each retailer.
Giant Food Stores
8-pack hot dogs - $3.29
Ground beef, 85 percent lean - $2.99 per lb.
8-pack hot dog rolls - On sale for 79 cents, regular 89 cents
8-pack hamburger buns - On sale for 79 cents, regular 89 cents
Mustard (24 oz.) - On sale for 89 centers, regular 99 cents
Ketchup (24 oz.) - On sale for $1, regular $1.15
Potato salad - $3.29 per lb.
Amish macaroni salad - $2.79 per lb.
Soda (2 liters) - 79 cents
Total: $16.62
Wal-Mart
8-pack hot dogs - $1.84
Ground beef, 85 percent lean - $3.33 per lb.
8-pack hot dog rolls - $1.17
8-pack hamburger buns - $1.17
Mustard (24 oz.) - 98 cents
Ketchup (24 oz.) - 96 cents
Potato salad - $1.78 per lb.
Amish macaroni salad - $1.78 per lb.
Soda (2 liters) - 67 cents
Total: $13.68
Weis Market
8-pack hot dogs - On sale for $2.69, regular $3.49
Ground beef, 85 percent lean - $3.29 per lb.
8-pack hot dog rolls - 89 cents
8-pack hamburger buns - 89 cents
Mustard (24 oz.) - $1.39
Ketchup (24 oz.) - $1.29
Potato salad - $2.39 per lb.
Amish macaroni salad - $2.89 per lb.
Soda (2 liters) - Five for $4 or 80 cents each
Total: $16.52
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
jmilcetich@ydr.com; 771-2029
COST COMPARISON
Take a look at the prices for barbecue fixings this year compared with last year:
| Cookout favorites | 2008 | 2007 | Pct. chg. |
| 1 lb. beef | $3.52 | $3.48 | 1.1 percent |
| Package of 8 hot dogs | $4.29 | $4.02 | 6.7 percent |
| 8 burger buns | $1.61 | $1.38 | 16.7 percent |
| 8 hot dog buns | $1.89 | $1.65 | 14.5 percent |
| lb. American cheese | $3.88 | $3.73 | 4 percent |
| 1 lb. tomatoes | $1.77 | $1.63 | 8.6 percent |
| 1 lb. lettuce | 99 cents | 90 cents | 9.1 percent |
| 16-oz. bag chips | $3.89 | $3.48 | 11.8 percent |
| 6-pack beer | $6.74 | $6.66 | 1.2 percent |
| 2-liter soda | $1.33 | $1.20 | 10.8 percent |
| Lighter fluid | $3.66 | $3.54 | 3.4 percent |
| Charcoal | $7.89 | $7.78 | 1.4 percent |
| Ketchup | $2.69 | $2.49 | 8 percent |
| Mustard | $1.45 | $1.42 | 2.1 percent |
| Mayonnaise | $3.71 | $3.28 | 13.1 percent |
| Salad dressing | $3.49 | $3.29 | 6 percent |
| Jar of pickles | $2.99 | $2.85 | 4.9 percent |
| Paper plates | $1.82 | $1.60 | 13.8 percent |
| Napkins | 82 cents | 79 cents | 3.8 percent |
Source: The Associated Press
