The cost of your average backyard barbecue has gotten lower in Arizona. The latest survey for food prices in the state found that the cost of many grocery staples has dropped — including eggs and chicken breasts.
Julie Murphree, spokeswoman for the Arizona Farm Bureau, said ground chuck is now two thirds the price it was two years ago.
“There are shifts and fluctuations,” she said, “but I really feel like this time it’s kind of leveling for most of our Arizona consumers when they purchase meat.”
Murphree said a good supply of meat and fierce competition between grocery giants are helping keep those prices low. That latest food price survey found that a market basket of 16 typical items is just above $46 — almost $3 cheaper than last year at this time.