SOUTH BEND — Many of you will soon be firing up those grills for the Memorial Day holiday. But prepare to fork over a bit more money if you plan on hosting a party this year.

Hamburgers, hotdogs, buns … shoppers are flooding the aisles to stock up on all the Memorial Day must-haves.

"It's a lot of fun trying to get all this stuff prepared ahead of time," said Jerry Gorby.

But for shoppers like Gorby, the grocery store is becoming more like a battle ground this Memorial Day as people are fighting to find the best deals.

“You try and find stuff that's on sale because with the prices now-a-days, I don't know how people are making it," said Gorby.

Economists say food inflation is the highest in almost two decades, thanks to soaring gas prices and increased demand overseas. That's forcing shoppers like Annie Bender to scale back on everything from cheese to meat this Memorial Day.

"We were going to buy steaks and we down-sized it to chicken breasts or chicken thighs and legs," she said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for a pound of ground chuck has jumped 23 cents since 2006. The increase can certainly add up. That's why Gorby thinks more people are throwing smaller parties.

"Now, everybody is sort of breaking off because people can't afford it. Even when you have people bring in food," said Gorby.

But the rising prices aren't enough to stop him and many others from enjoying the holiday.

"Family is important to us. No, that's not something we would give up. I think we would still spend a little more that weekend just to have a get-together," said Bender.

"It's basically for the grand kids. It's to show them what Memorial Day is about," said Gorby.

Statistics also show the average price of bread is up. It's jumped close to 30 cents since 2006.