News

May 24, 2023

Nevada's Ketchup Lovers Getting 'Squeezed' At Checkout

Weekdays 3:00pm - 8:00pm Did you notice that the cost of your Memorial

Weekdays 3:00pm - 8:00pm

Did you notice that the cost of your Memorial Day Weekend barbeque cost a lot more than last year's? One of the reasons is that the price of ketchup has risen about 28% over the past year.

An article written by Danielle Wiener-Bronner on CNN.com reports: "A 32-ounce bottle of ketchup went from $4.08 on average the week of May 16, 2022, to $5.22 in the week of May 15, 2023, according to Datasembly, which measures weekly changes in grocery prices at over 150,000 US stores for its Grocery Price Index."

Per Wiener-Bronner's article, ketchup is not the only one of America's favorite condiments to see a big price increase. The average price of mustard is up about 13%. The average price of relish is up about 12% since last year's Memorial Day Weekend barbeque.

By now, we have all become accustomed to prices at the grocery store rising. But why has the cost of condiments risen so dramatically? Well, most experts point to the higher cost of ingredients, the higher cost of labor, and higher fuel prices contributing to what you saw at the checkout counter over the holiday weekend.

However, you probably did not see a huge increase in the prices of hamburger meat, hot dogs, and other proteins since last year. The CNN.com article points out that the price of hot dogs went up about 3% on average, and the price of 80/20 ground beef was relatively flat since last year at this time.

If you put the average barbeque menu together with hamburger buns, hot dog buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, hot dogs and hamburger meat, the overall cost of your holiday weekend feast went up about 9% since last year. Let's hope it doesn't go too much higher for the Independence Day barbeque you’re planning. It seems like we have been "squeezed" enough at the checkout counter up to this point.

Long weekends mean there is more time to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with friends and family. Memorial Day and Fourth of July give us a time to celebrate the birth of our nation and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Plus as an unofficial start to summer, also a good time to take a trip or celebrate in your own backyard.

I don't know about you, but in my family, we are always gathering for every holiday. That includes Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. And while I’m not always the host, I’m definitely the one helping the host. So as we all prepare for our backyard barbecues and summer gatherings, here are some fun patriotic themed barbeque items to kick those backyard parties up a notch!

A funny shirt perfect to wear yourself, or give as a gift, for any backyard barbecue or firework celebration. Available for both men and women in a tank or t-shirt, this shirt is sure to steal the show!

Who needs a beer cooler when you can have a beer belt? An adjustable belt for up to a 40" waist fits all standard beer and soda cans. This American-themed beverage holder belt is great for tailgating, backyard parties, and more!

These festive drink huggers are perfect to take to any Memorial Day parade or celebration! Fitting a standard soda or beer can, they make a stylish and fun drink accessory or gift.

We love this wine tumbler! It is the perfect insulated tumbler for barbecues, beach trips, and summer parties. Anyone with a sense of humor will be sure to appreciate this.

Why should your drink be the only fun thing on the table? These cute and high-quality patriotic beverage napkins are the perfect accessory for any drink at any party.

These inflatable drink holders are great for any patriotic pool party. Long-lasting and reusable for both adult and kid beverages. Relax on a pool float while your drink does the same!

If you are someone who hates to make multiple trips to the cooler, this is for you. You will not have to worry about refilling your cup anytime soon with these glasses. They are the perfect way to sip on your favorite drink during any patriotic bash!

I don't know about you, but spending time in the water is one of the best parts of our Fourth of July traditions. And my family loves playing games. This floating beer pong table is exactly what my family needs. It's also very fitting for those patriotic holidays.

These are great for the kids (and adults!), especially at night. If you’re planning on hanging out somewhere to watch fireworks these will be great for those dark nights.

And because we couldn't help ourselves, we had to add these as well. If you want to get festive this is one way to do that.

The symbol of freedom is one of the most patriotic symbols. So of course, the second we saw this we knew we needed to add it to the list. Make sure your "grill master" is wearing this for your backyard holiday.

Beer pong is still a favorite, and while I love the floating one (which is absolutely perfect for all of those folks who have pools or lakes) this one is great for those of us without water nearby. Beer pong is fun, but this is a twist on the classic.

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Larry Martino is the long-time Afternoon Drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.