Thursday, November 27, 2008 6:09 PM CST
Thankful for a farmer on Thanksgiving
By AMY ROCHKES, For the JG/T-C
Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I am sure many preparations have already been made including the shopping for the Thanksgiving feast. If you have purchased your Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings I am sure you noticed your food bill was a little higher this year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation released its annual price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. The shopping list included turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.
This year’s survey indicated the average cost of a Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $44.61; a $2.35 price increase from last year’s average of $42.26.
The cost of a 16-pound turkey, at $19.09 or roughly $1.19 per pound, reflects an increase of 9 cents per pound, or a total of $1.46 per turkey compared to 2007. This is the largest contributor to the overall increase in the cost of the 2008 Thanksgiving dinner.
Other items showing a price increase this year were: a 12-oz. package of brown-n-serve rolls, $2.20; a 12-oz. package of fresh cranberries, $2.46; a 30-oz. can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.34; two 9-inch pie shells, $2.26; a 14-oz. package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.57; a relish tray of carrots and celery, 82 cents; a half-pint of whipping cream, $1.70; a pound of green peas, $1.58; and three pounds of sweet potatoes, $3.12.
Food prices rode the energy price roller coaster up during the first half of 2008, and as the year winds down, energy prices have moderated somewhat but food prices have not come down. Despite that, the components of this classic Thanksgiving dinner cost less compared to 1988 when the effects of inflation are removed. Even at these slightly higher prices, the cost per person for this special meal remains lower.
American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation. This year’s average cost of $44.61 is equivalent to $20.65 in 20-year inflation-adjusted dollars. The real dollar cost of the Thanksgiving dinner has declined more than 8 percent since 1988.
Throughout the year Americans are fortunate to enjoy a bounty of foods produced in every state of our great nation. It is especially appropriate as we gather at the Thanksgiving table to savor not only food and fellowship of family and friends, but to take a moment to recognize that this blessing begins on the farm.
Amy Rochkes is manager of the Shelby County Farm Bureau.
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Early Bird wrote on Dec 1, 2008 5:48 AM: