Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation: 2009 Thanksgiving meal price survey

Family meal costs 9% less than last year

MADISON — This year’s Thanksgiving meal will cost $3.84 less than last year. All items surveyed saw decreases with the exception of peas, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie filling.

In the Farm Bureau’s 18th annual informal survey for the traditional holiday meal for a family of eight, the cost of this year’s feast is $38.53, compared to $42.37 for last year’s meal.

Since this time last year there has been a significant drop in global demand for some American agricultural products such as dairy. This year, energy prices are far below their 2008 levels. Dairy prices and global demand surged in 2007 and through most of 2008 and now those conditions are reversed. The lower demand and cheaper energy are the primary factors behind this year’s decrease.

The Farm Bureau said the average “unadvertised” price for a 16-pound turkey decreased by $1.55. More turkeys were kept in cold storage in 2008 and strong production in 2009 helped increase supply and lower retail prices. The Farm Bureau reminds consumers that many will be able to take advantage of special in-store promotions or coupons resulting in much lower prices for turkeys than reported in this survey. Farm Bureau surveyors are asked to look for the best prices on the survey items without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals.

A gallon of whole milk is $2.86 this Thanksgiving, a 52-cent decrease from last year. “Global demand has dropped since last year, production is still strong, and prices paid to farmers are down”, said a Farm Bureau spokesman. The retail price for whipping cream dropped as well, down 3-percent.

Onions saw a major decrease from 2008. A pound of yellow onions was down nearly 30-percent to 68-cents. This year in Wisconsin, 2,000 acres of onions were harvested. In 2008 only 1,100 acres were harvested meaning that supply was increased this year. The increased supply and lower transportation costs are primary factors in the large retail price decreases.

Pumpkin pie filling was one of three items with an increase. The pumpkin crop in 2008 was smaller than usual so companies had to wait for the 2009 crop to ripen in order to produce canned pumpkin products for this fall. A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie filling was $2.40 this year versus $2.33 last year. A three pound bag of sweet potatoes was 13-cents more this year with a price of $1.24.

“For around $4.82 per person, families can enjoy a bountiful holiday meal. We are very fortunate to have this abundance and affordability coming from our farms,” the spokesman said.

The Farm Bureau Thanksgiving market basket meal includes 14 traditional foods: 16-pound self-basting turkey; 14-ounce package of herb-seasoned, cubed stuffing; 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix; a package of two, nine-inch, frozen pie shells, a three-pound bag of sweet potatoes; a five-pound bag of potatoes; 12-ounce package of brown-and-serve rolls; one-pound package of frozen peas; one-pound each of fresh carrots and onions; a bunch of fresh celery; 12-ounce package of fresh cranberries; one gallon of whole milk; and a one-half pint of whipping cream.

The Thanksgiving meal cost an average of $26.50 when the Farm Bureau conducted the first Thanksgiving meal Market Basket survey 18 years ago.