Thanksgiving Meal to Cost A Little Less to Prepare this Year

Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 -- 8:57 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Your Thanksgiving meal will likely cost a little less to prepare this week when compared to the previous year's holiday.

According to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, a traditional holiday meal for a family of ten will total around $60.97, which is 60-cents lower than last year's average.  The Madison-based farm group conducted its survey of 15 food items of the traditional Thanksgiving meal in 28 communities across Wisconsin.  "Our Thanksgiving celebration may look a little different this year as we aren't able to gather with as many family or friends, but it is still an excellent time to reflect on all that we are grateful for including access to healthy and affordable food items," said WFBF Spokesperson Sarah Hetke. "We experienced a time earlier this year when grocery store shelves were bare or picked over in most parts of the country. The role farmers, agriculturists and food workers play in our everyday lives cannot be taken for granted."  The average price for a 16-pound turkey in Wisconsin supermarkets was $1.44 less than last year at $20.32.

However, a four-pound ham rang up $1.68 more than 2019 at $10.36. Other year-to-year savings were found in the costs of cream, dinner rolls, relish trays, cranberries, pumpkin pie mix, pie shells, sweet potatoes, frozen green beans, miscellaneous ingredients, russert potatoes, and frozen peas. A gallon of milk only averaged a penny more than last November's survey at $2.87.  Meanwhile, the American Farm Bureau also released its survey of the same 15 items for a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal at $60.11. That was $2.21 less than last year.  Wisconsin communities that took part in the survey include Black River Falls, Eau Claire, Marshfield and Medford.

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