Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation: Cost of Thanksgiving dinner in Wisconsin still affordable

Contact: Casey Langan, Director of Public Relations, 608-828-5711

MADISON – The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says that the average price for a classic, home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner is still a better deal than many fast-food value meals.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s annual price survey of traditional items like turkey, stuffing, cranberries and pumpkin pie for a family of 10 came in at $45.26 this year.

“At less than $4.53 per person, that’s still a nutritious bargain,” said Casey Langan, Wisconsin Farm Bureau spokesman. “Wisconsin’s farm families are proud to grow and produce the wholesome turkeys, potatoes, cranberries and dairy products that will be served at Thanksgiving dinners across our nation.”

This year marks the first time items found on the informal Wisconsin survey mirror that of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national Thanksgiving survey. The shopping list for the surveys include turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of milk and coffee, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.

The overall price difference between the Wisconsin and national surveys came down to the survey’s big-ticket item: the turkey. Wisconsin’s average price for a 16-pound turkey averaged $20.16. That’s $2.50 higher than the $17.66 national average. Based on that item alone, the cost of the Wisconsin meal came in higher than the national average. Because other items were more affordable in Wisconsin, the $45.26 price for the entire meal in America’s Dairyland was just $1.79 higher than the national average of $43.47.

“I think the national survey’s lower average reflects how some retailers give deep discounts on turkey to spur sales of other Thanksgiving items,” said Langan. “The higher prices that our volunteer shoppers found accurately reflect the actual turkey price. Fewer turkeys being raised this year coupled with a reduced supply in cold storage, strong seasonal demand and rising feed (corn) costs all are driving the price of turkey to record prices. Wisconsin consumers looking for a bargain should remember to shop around, as some retailers will be aggressively marketing turkeys with special sale promotions.”

Pumpkin pie mix, pie shells and sweet potatoes were the other items that rang up as more expensive in Wisconsin than the national average. Survey items more affordable in Wisconsin were whole milk, whipping cream, dinner rolls, stuffing, green peas, and carrots and celery for a relish tray. The $2.41 per pound of fresh cranberries in Wisconsin was the same as the national average price. Wisconsin leads the nation in the production of cranberries.

“Among the things to be thankful for this year is how American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs, particularly when adjusted for inflation,” Langan said. “Likewise, when it comes to the percentage of annual disposable income spent on food, at 10 percent, Americans spend the lowest percentage in the world.”

ABOUT THE SURVEY

Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals. The American Farm Bureau first conducted its Thanksgiving survey in 1986. While Farm Bureau does not make any scientific claims about the data, it is an informal gauge of price trends.

Item – Wisconsin – National

Turkey, 16 lbs. – 20.16 – 17.66

Milk, 1 gallon whole – 2.95 – 3.24

Cream, half pint – 1.48 – 1.70

Rolls, 12 – 1.96 – 2.12

Relish tray (1 lb. carrots-celery) – .72 – .77

Fresh cranberries, 12 oz. – 2.41 – 2.41

Pumpkin pie mix, 30 oz. – 2.67 – 2.62

Pie shells (2) – 2.47 – 2.46

Cube stuffing, 14 oz. – 2.55 – 2.64

Sweet potatoes, 3 lbs. – 3.36 – 3.19

Green peas, 1 lb. – 1.31 – 1.44

Misc. ingredients – 3.22 – 3.22

TOTAL – $45.26 – $43.47