Average Thanksgiving Meal Price Shoots Up 13 Percent Due To Rising Food Costs

WASHINGTON — Putting a traditional turkey dinner on the table is going to be pricier this Thanksgiving.

The American Farm Bureau Federation reported Thursday that a meal with turkey and all the trimmings will cost about 13 percent more this year.

The trade group estimates a classic meal for 10 will cost $49.20 on average. That is $5.73 more than last year's $43.47 average.

The meal will cost less than $5 a person, but it's still much more expensive than in years past. The jump results from food makers and grocers raising their prices to cover higher commodity costs.

Nearly everything from cranberries to pumpkin pie is pricier this year, but the biggest hike is for the main course: A 16-pound turkey costs almost $4 more this year, at $21.57, according to the trade group.

The group surveyed prices in stores nationwide. But grocers often discount key items as the holiday approaches and that could reduce the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.

John Anderson, senior economist for the Farm Bureau, said it's important to remember that Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than most people around the world.

"Given what is going on in the economy, higher prices on anything are not welcome," Anderson said. "(But) it does not have the same impact as food prices in other parts of the world do. We are fortunate in that sense."

Comments

[Thumbody]

11:39 AM on 11/24/2011

So glad to see the gas prices were "jacked up" just prior to everybody traveling as well. Corrupt business as usual!

[ummm]

07:55 PM on 11/14/2011

it's not like BofA- you can't just close out your Thanksgiving Dinner; with the amount of food grocery stores let rot, something smells fishy-

[AliciaMarieB]

07:21 PM on 11/14/2011

My family usually does it potluck style so that nobody has to shoulder the full cost. We just rotate out who buys the bird. So, yeah, it'll cost a little more, but not a lot for any one person. What I think this is having a greater effect on is what people do on a daily/weekly basis as far as eating and cooking. People go to get some groceries and end out with sticker shock at the cost of a few "basic" meals.

[steveAC10]

01:45 PM on 11/13/2011

I haven't been able to make Thanksgiving dinner for $5 per person since about 1990, with the price of pumpkin and nuts the pies alone cost nearly that much. You could possibly do it if you bought canned everything at Aldi and picked up a hormone and salt water filled frozen bird on sale. Last year's dinner for 6 cost me over $150 - and it was not an extravagant meal, I just used fresh ingredients.

[Shawna Wallace]

12:12 AM on 11/11/2011

49?? LOL what are they having---- a Charlie Brown christmas.. with toast and jelly beans??

[Food Review 101]

08:15 PM on 11/10/2011

http://www.foodreview101.com/ Like people aren't going to celebrate Thanksgiving over 13%...?

[baxtron]

12:54 PM on 11/10/2011

Thanks a lot Obama. Where the leadership in Washington!? Somehow the Democrats are to blame for this.

[Karl Wilder]

12:46 PM on 11/10/2011

So....don't do the classic meal. Celebrate the harvest in your own way.

[gemini68]

01:47 PM on 11/10/2011

My family has never done the classic meal. We always do duck with water chestnut stuffing on the side, Baked Mac N' Cheese, my mom's famous bread pudding, baked sweet potatoes and sparkling grape juice. That is our traditional Thanksgiving Meal.

[Dillon N Gail]

11:39 PM on 11/12/2011

duck is amazing we make it with mushrooms onions n beef stalk YUM