TAMPA, Fla. — Shoppers are making their last-minute purchases before the Independence Day cookouts kick off, but experts say inflation is still driving prices.

Whether it be big cuts of meat, fresh produce, or pizza dough, whatever you’re serving this July 4th is likely more expensive.

USF economics professor Chris Jones says higher fuel prices, coupled with inflation, are forcing prices for everything higher, especially food.

“It’s not just about how much we as a household spend in terms of putting gas in our gas tank, but that also deals with diesel fuel that runs the trucks that carry our goods and services,” said Jones.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of ground beef last May cost $6.02 per pound. This May, it’s $6.72.

Meanwhile,, a study by the American Farm Bureau Federation says the average 10-person cookout will cost you more than last year, but it increased at about the same rate as inflation.

Customers are starting to see it at some places.

“Other grocery stores, I would say yes, here I would say not really. These have kind of been the standard prices here for a while, I don’t know how they do it,” said Autumn Wiley, who is preparing for her cookout.

Wiley says she has been shopping at St. Pete’s Mazarro’s Italian Market her entire life. She says she keeps coming back for the savings and the good food.

“They have their homemade chicken parm here again, super convenient. You can just slap it in the oven, also a pizza as well,” Wiley said.

This Independence Day is extra significant for Joseluis Ramirez. Spectrum News asked how he’s celebrating.

“To see the fireworks downtown, and I just became a citizen last year, so it’s special,” said Ramirez.

He has picked up his pot pie and is ready to celebrate, but Jones says food and fuel prices may have some consumers toning down their festivities.

“It forces consumers to shift their spending, because those are what we call inelastic essentials, which means it doesn’t really matter (if) they become more expensive or not, you still have to consume the same quantity,” Jones said.