Mon, May 26, 2008 (2:06 a.m.)

If you are barbecuing this holiday, you may be surprised at the cost. The Associated Press reported last week that the average cost of a barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings had increased 6 percent in the past year.

For example, the federal government reports that the average price of a pack of hot dogs is up almost 7 percent to $4.29 from last year and hot dog buns are up 14 percent to $1.89. A 16-ounce bag of potato chips is $3.89, an increase of nearly 12 percent.

The cost of a barbecue is a good barometer of skyrocketing food prices because many of the items included are staples — breads, meats and salad vegetables.

The Consumer Price Index for food rose 4 percent last year, a jump from the 2.5 percent average increase over the previous 15 years. The Agriculture Department expects an increase in food prices of up to 5.5 percent next year.

This is affecting the wallets of every American, and experts say people are having a tougher time feeding their families. Those on food stamps are in particular trouble. What they receive has not increased to match inflation. And the sputtering economy has sent more people seeking aid.

The increase in food prices has been blamed on a series of problems — rising fuel prices, an increase in worldwide demand for food and bad weather that has damaged crops.

Although the situation is much worse in other parts of the world, the cost of food in America is a serious issue. Many Americans have had to cut back and a Memorial Day barbecue could be a luxury.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any easy ways to bring down food prices in this country, but we hope the issue becomes a priority for Congress.

Sadly, the situation is a twist on those credit card commercials. Having friends and family over for a backyard barbecue: Pricey.