High Cost Of Thanksgiving Meal Causes Great Concern For Families

High Cost Of Thanksgiving Meal Causes Great Concern For Families

by | Nov 18, 2023 | Economy, News

By Daniel Stefanski |

Americans are still paying a lot of money for their Thanksgiving meals this year.

This week, the American Farm Bureau released its report on the annual cost of Thanksgiving dinners. The numbers showed that the average cost in 2023 was $61.17, which was down slightly from 2022’s value of $64.05 – yet significantly higher than 2021 ($53.31) and also 25% more than 2019.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said, “While shoppers will see a slight improvement in the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner, high inflation continues to hammer families across the country, including the nation’s farmers. Growing the food families rely on is a constant challenge for farmers because of high fuel, seed, fertilizer and transportation costs, just to name a few.”

Duvall added, “While high food prices are a concern for every family, America still has one of the most affordable food supplies in the world. We’ve accomplished that, in part, due to strong farm bill programs. Although our focus is sharing time with family and friends this Thanksgiving, our thoughts also turn to encouraging Congress to double down on a commitment to passing a new farm bill with a modernized safety net to support those who raise the crops and livestock that supply Thanksgiving dinner and every dinner.”

The items comprising the makeup of this Thanksgiving dinner were turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, and a pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

According to the Bureau, the average prices of 16-pound turkeys fell 5.6% year-over-year to $27.35. A pack of one dozen dinner rolls was up 2.9% from 2022 to $3.84, and the cost of a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix had increased 3.7% to $4.44.

The Bureau also expanded the menu for another cost estimate, adding boneless ham, Russet potatoes, and frozen green beans. This menu experienced a $23.58 price increase from the standard fare to top out at $84.75.

Where Americans live in the country also affects the prices they will pay for their Thanksgiving meal. Those in the western part of the nation experience above-average costs at $63.89 for the standard meal, while the expanded offering comes in at $87.75.

Prices for this survey were computed November 1-6, and were gathered from each state plus Puerto Rico.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

High Cost Of Thanksgiving Meal Causes Great Concern For Families

Average Thanksgiving Dinner Cost 20 Percent More Than Last Year

by | Nov 21, 2022 | News

By Corinne Murdock |

A Thanksgiving dinner for 10 may cost about 20 percent more than it did last year — a difference of nearly $11. It is the most expensive that a Thanksgiving meal has been in at least 36 years. 

The annual American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) survey released on Wednesday revealed that classic Thanksgiving foods for a gathering of 10 would amount to $64.05. Last year, that same meal cost $53.31. 

The survey reviewed costs for a 16-pound turkey, 12 ounces of cranberries, three pounds of sweet potatoes, one-half pound each of carrots and celery, 16 ounces of green peas, two pie shells, 14 ounces of cube stuffing, 30 ounces of pumpkin pie mix, one gallon of milk, and one-half pint of whipping cream. 

Last year, a 16-pound turkey cost nearly $24 on average ($1.49 per pound). This year, that same turkey cost nearly $29 on average ($1.81 per pound). That $5 increase is the most significant of all the classic Thanksgiving foods, though the remainder of the other 10 groceries averaged an increase of 60 cents. 

Nothing declined in price; the grocery item with the least cost increase was the one-pound vegetable tray, at six cents. 

Thanksgiving meal prices declined from 2015 to 2020 before increasing last year. This past year’s increase is the steepest yet in the 36 years since the AFBF began its survey.

The USDA issued a memo on Wednesday as well with different estimates. They claimed that their administration undertook actions to slow inflation at grocery stores, some of which have been purportedly palpable. 

The USDA used a turkey hen instead of a tom for its comparison, and estimated that a large turkey hen would only cost two cents more per pound than last year.

Their estimates for costs of other staples were lower as well. 12 ounces of cranberries were $2.24, three pounds of sweet potatoes were $2.58, and a gallon of milk was $3.73. The USDA excluded pie ingredients, stuffing, and whipping cream from its estimates. 

The USDA blamed the avian influenza outbreak, Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the drought for the increasing costs of food. Despite the loss of over 8 million turkeys, the administration projected that there wouldn’t be a turkey shortage come Thanksgiving. 

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.