Farm Bureau survey: Cost of Thanksgiving meal down slightly

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thanksgivingturkeyThe American Farm Bureau Federation’s 31st annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.87, a 24-cent decrease from last year’s average of $50.11.

The results were released by the Delaware Farm Bureau. 

A  16-pound turkey came in at $22.74 this year. That’s roughly $1.42 per pound, a decrease of 2 cents per pound, or a total of 30 cents less than in 2015.

In Delaware, a frozen tom turkey runs higher than $1.42 a pound; unless purchased on sale. Sales were common this year.

“Consumers will pay less than $5 per person for a classic Thanksgiving dinner this year,” American Farm Bureau  Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton said. “We have seen farm prices for many foods – including turkeys – fall from the higher levels of recent years. This translates into lower retail prices for a number of items as we prepare for Thanksgiving and confirms that U.S. consumers benefit from an abundant, high-quality and affordable food supply.” 

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The national  survey shopping list 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 of leftovers.

Delaware Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chair, Mary Bea Gooden, noted that almost everything on the AFBF’s shopping list is produced in Delaware.

The state has at least two turkey farms, T.A. Farms in Wyoming and Wright Brothers Turkey Farm in Delmar as well as dairy herds providing milk, cream, whipped cream and butter.

Many Delaware fields were recently dotted with orange pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are also grown. Delaware farmers grow some 3,000 acres of peas for processors. Carrots are no longer grown commercially, but are produced for farmers markets. 

“I’m glad to see the prices come down,” said Gooden. “I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving with my family, and I’m glad Delaware farmers are able to produce so much of the traditional meal.”

A total of 148 volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in 40 states for this year’s survey.

Shoppers with an eye for bargains should be able to purchase individual menu items at comparable prices. Another option for busy families is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10 people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets and take-out restaurants for  $50 to $75.

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