by Hanna Bogorowski
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey on the price of traditional Thanksgiving foods revealed a drop in the average price of dinner for families.
“Since 2015, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined steadily and is now at the lowest level since 2010,” AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton said in a statement.
The survey, which counted up the cost of classic Thanksgiving foods like turkey, sweet potatoes, bread rolls, cranberries, pumpkin pie mix and more, indicates that the average cost of this year’s meal for 10 is $48.90.
That’s less than $5 per person, and a 22 cent decrease from the previous year’s average of $49.12.
Thanksgiving dinner’s staple, the turkey, also costs slightly less this year, coming in at $21.71 for a 16-pound turkey and down three percent from 2017.
Something to be thankful for: the real cost of a 2018 Thanksgiving dinner is lowest since 2010 and 26% lower than 1986 https://t.co/boMgeAN1yb
— Mark J. Perry (@Mark_J_Perry) November 15, 2018
The AFBF survey revealed that this is the lowest price one can buy a turkey since 2014.
‘Thanks to an ample supply, turkey remains affordable for consumers, which helps keep the overall cost of the dinner reasonably priced as well,” Newton said.
The biggest price drops were for the turkey, a gallon of milk at $2.92, a three pound bag of sweet potatoes at $3.39, a one pound bag of green peas at $1.47 and a dozen rolls at $2.25, according to AFBF.
Turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes, oh my! The average cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year remains affordable at $48.90. This is the lowest price AFBF has seen since 2010. pic.twitter.com/CNnb8UugPo
— American Farm Bureau (@FarmBureau) November 15, 2018
Adjusting for inflation, this cost of this year’s dinner is significantly more affordable than it was in 1986, when it was $65.73, AFBF found.
“Thanksgiving continues to be an affordable meal for Americans across the country at less than $5 per person for that classic meal,” Newton said. “Food prices have been relatively flat in the U.S. for a number of years.”
The AFBF found these prices by having 166 volunteer shoppers in 37 states find the best prices in grocery stores without using coupons or special purchase deals.
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Hanna Bogorowski is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation. Follow Hanna on Twitter
