Annual Survey Says Thanksgiving Feast for Ten Will Cost More

For some of you, this news is no surprise. If you hadn't realized this yet, I apologize for being the bearer of bad news.

The American Farm Bureau Federation Thursday released the findings of its 36th annual survey of the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.

And, as you might imagine, the cost of almost all the ingredients of a classic Thanksgiving feast have gone up since last year.

The AFBF survey shows the 12 components of Turkey Day dinner for ten cost $53.31, compared to $46.90 in 2020. That's a rise of 14%.

They are quick to point out that, even though it costs more, it's still less that $6 per person.

Most of the increased cost is the 16 pound turkey, costing $4.60 more than last year. The Farm Bureau points out that the time their shoppers checked prices came a couple of weeks before most stores had started their sales on turkeys.

Of the 12 basic items, the only one showing a decrease in price from last year was cubed stuffing, down 52 cents.

Just so you know, the 12 items tracked by AFBF for the annual survey include: 16-pound turkey; 2 frozen pie crusts; 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix; half pint of whipping cream; 1 dozen dinner rolls; 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries; 1 gallon of whole milk; 1 pound of frozen peas; 3 pounds of sweet potatoes; 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery), misc. ingredients to prepare the meal and a 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix.

Since the survey was begun in 1986, the only other time the cost was above $50 was in 2015. In 1986, the cost of Thanksgiving dinner for ten was $28.74.