Thanksgiving Meal Price Tag Rises Slightly
In its 34th study, the American Farm Bureau Federation found 2019’s price tag for a traditional Thanksgiving meal rose just one penny to $48.91 for 10 people. This amounts to less than $5 per person.
“The average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is essentially unchanged from last year,” said John Newton, AFBF chief economist in a recent press release. “Americans continue to enjoy the most affordable food supply in the world, but most [consumers] don’t realize only 8 cents of every dollar consumers spend on food goes to farmers.”
Much of the added cost is in processing, marketing and other value-adds down the line from the farm.
While the price overall didn’t change greatly compared to 2018, certain individual items showed changes. For example, the star of the show, a 16-lb. turkey, dove nearly $1 from $21.71 in 2018 to $20.80 in 2019.s
Check out more of the changes:
|
Item |
2018 price |
2019 price |
Change ($) |
|
16-lb. turkey |
$21.71 |
$20.80 |
($0.91) |
|
Pumpkin pie mix, 30 oz. |
$3.33 |
$3.32 |
($0.01) |
|
Milk, 1 gallon (whole) |
$2.92 |
$3.10 |
$0.18 |
|
1-lb. veggie tray (carrots and celery) |
$0.75 |
$0.79 |
$0.04 |
|
Misc. ingredients |
$3.01 |
$3.22 |
$0.21 |
|
Rolls, 12 |
$2.25 |
$2.50 |
$0.25 |
|
Pie shells, 2 |
$2.47 |
$2.52 |
$0.05 |
|
Green peas, 1 lb. |
$1.47 |
$1.49 |
$0.02 |
|
Fresh cranberries, 12 oz. |
$2.65 |
$2.66 |
$0.01 |
|
Whipping cream, ½ pint |
$2.08 |
$2.08 |
$0.00 |
|
Cubed stuffing, 14 oz. |
$2.87 |
$2.68 |
($0.19) |
|
Sweet potatoes, 3 lbs. |
$3.39 |
$3.75 |
$0.36 |
|
TOTAL (classic) |
$48.90 |
$48.91 |
$0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ham, 4 lbs. |
$8.53 |
$9.16 |
$0.63 |
|
Russet potatoes, 5 lbs. |
$2.75 |
$2.74 |
($0.01) |
|
Green beans, 1 lb. |
$1.53 |
$1.51 |
($0.02) |
|
Total (updated dinner, includes items in traditional) |
$61.72 |
$62.32 |
$0.60 |
|
|
|
|
Check out more of AFBF’s study here. They examine how 2019 cost compare to 1986, with adjustments for inflation.
