Cost of Thanksgiving dinner drops to 5-year low
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 32nd annual price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table, the average cost of this year’s holiday feast for 10 is $49.12, a 75-cent decrease from last year's average of $49.87.
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 32nd annual price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table, the average cost of this year’s holiday feast for 10 is $49.12, a 75-cent decrease from last year's average of $49.87. After adjusting for inflation, the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is $20.54, the lowest level since 2013. This year’s informal survey was based on 141 volunteer shoppers checking food prices at grocery stores in 39 states.
The biggest ticket item—a 16-pound turkey—came in at $22.38, which is about $1.40 per pound, a decrease of 2 cents per pound, or a total of 36 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2016. “For the second consecutive year, the overall cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined,” AFBF director of market intelligence Dr. John Newton said. “The cost of the dinner is the lowest since 2013 and second-lowest since 2011.” Consumers continue to see lower retail turkey prices due to continued large inventory in cold storage, which is up almost double digits from last year, Newton explained.
The shopping list for Farm Bureau's informal survey includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers. Foods showing the largest decreases this year in addition to turkey, were a gallon of milk; a dozen rolls; two nine-inch pie shells; a 3-lb bag of sweet potatoes; a 1-lb bag of green peas; and a group of miscellaneous items including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour).
Meanwhile, nearly one in 10 adults (9%) plan to eat a Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant this year, according to a new survey from the National Restaurant Association (NRA). The survey also found that some consumers are also planning to use restaurant-prepared food to supplement their Thanksgiving meal at home or at a friend’s house. More than one in 10 said they plan to pick up parts of the meal (9%) or all of the meal (4%) from a restaurant.