Cost of Thanksgiving decreases in 2013
It is a week most people spend preparing. Travel plans are being made, shopping lists are being written and homes are neatly tidied for out-of-town friends and family arriving on Thanksgiving day.
This year, at least, turkey day shoppers can take solace in knowing this Thanksgiving meal will cost a little less than last year.
“Although the price reduction is modest, families can plan ahead knowing that this year’s Thanksgiving meal won’t cost more than last; having the cost of Thanksgiving remain stable should give Nevadans a bright start as the holiday season officially gets under way,” said Bryan Wachter of the Retail Association of Nevada.
Holidays reunite us with loved ones, but it can also create an added stress when it comes time to pay the cashier. According to the 28th annual American Farm Bureau Federation price survey, though, the average cost for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people will be $49.04, a decrease of about .09 percent from last year’s average of $49.48.
The AFBF estimates $4.90 per each person for a meal, with total costs for Thanksgiving spending in Nevada expected to be at $13.5 million, a 2-percent decrease in costs compared to last year.
Prices of turkeys have fallen, too. Increased turkey production and more frozen turkey storage has lead to a decline in the price for a bird. For a turkey averaging 16 pounds, costs are down from $22.23 to $21.76. All the fixings and sides usually found at dinner went down several cents as well. Milk and dairy prices have gone up several cents in addition to sweet potatoes and prepared relish trays due to demand, however.
“The cost of this year’s meal, at less than $5 per serving, remains an excellent value for consumers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
This holiday season, turkey-goers can head to the check out with their carts stuffed, and hopefully their pockets are a little fuller, too.
“This year we can be thankful that Thanksgiving Dinner, a special meal many of us look forward to all year, will not take a bigger bite out of our wallets,” John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist said in a video interview.
