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Thanksgiving dinner up by 4 cents per person

The cost of Thanksgiving dinner is higher than last year, but just a little.  The annual American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) survey indicates that the meal will cost $49.41.  That’s 37 cents more than in 2013.  But Farm Bureau economist John Anderson points out that the cost is for a meal to serve ten people.

“That works out to about $4.94 a serving,” said Anderson, in an interview provided by the AFBF, “so, very affordable.”

The meal’s traditional centerpiece, a 16-pound turkey, came in at $21.65 this year, which is 11 cents less than last year.  Turkey production is less this year, which has actually boosted wholesale prices for the birds, but stores often offer turkey’s at a lower price as a loss leader to attract shoppers who may purchase the rest of their groceries there.

Foods showing the largest increases this year are sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie mix and, said Anderson, dairy products.

“That’s really not too much of a surprise,” said Anderson.  “Dairy product prices, for the most part, have been up at the retail level for most of this year, and so our survey is really confirming information that’s consistent with what we’ve seen all year long.”

In addition to the turkey, other items that declined in price include bread stuffing, cranberries, pie shells and brown-n-serve rolls. The annual Farm Bureau shopping list includes what’s traditionally served at Thanksgiving, including plenty of leftovers.

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