Slight Increase in 2008 Thanksgiving Meal

 
 
 
ARIZONA, November 18, 2008 --- As Arizonans sit down at the Thanksgiving table to dig into the traditional feast this year, the turkey dinner with all the trimmings will cost $52.81 for an Arizona family of 10, or $5.28 per person. This is a $1.67 increase or about 3.3 percent more than the 2007 Arizona Thanksgiving meal ($51.14), and $8.20 above this year’s national  average. The American Farm Bureau’s survey results show a cost of $44.61 for a family of 10.
 
While Arizona’s Thanksgiving meal continues to run higher than national’s, our increase was 2.2 percent less than nationals increase at 5.6 percent.
 
The cost of a 16-pound turkey purchased in Arizona was $23.84, or $1.49 cents per pound, which reflects a 3.5 percent increase in the cost of a turkey over last year. Compared to last year’s survey, prices are slightly higher on more than half of the survey items. Turkeys increased 5 cents per pound.
 
According to Sheila VanHofwegen, Farm Bureau member and Maricopa County chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee in Tolleson, Ariz., “The cost of food is where you can work the family budget. In other words, I think of ways I can modify my shopping list to save money.”
 
  • Wait until sales begin before Thanksgiving;
  • Buy store brand items;
  • Ask other family members to bring various side-dishes; and
  • Use coupons.
 
The 2008 Arizona Thanksgiving meal cost estimate is the result of the Arizona Farm Bureau’s annual informal Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey of the prices of basic food items found on the Thanksgiving dinner table. 
 
The Arizona Farm Bureau survey shopping list includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray including carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream plus coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. To make a proper comparison, these items are the same food items used in the national Farm Bureau survey.
 
“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,” said Jim Sartwelle, an American Farm Bureau economist. “Even at these slightly higher prices, the cost per person for this special meal remains lower than what Americans pay for most ‘value meals’ at fast-food outlets.”
 
Arizona farmers and ranchers produce most of the ingredients in the traditional Thanksgiving meal including dressing (bread, onions and celery), peas, pumpkin and pecans for pies, and several others. Even roses, sometimes used for holiday centerpieces, are grown in Arizona.
 
Throughout the year we’re fortunate to enjoy a bounty of foods produced in Arizona and across the nation,” said Arizona Farm Bureau President Kevin Rogers. “ It’s especially appropriate as we gather at the Thanksgiving table to savor not only food and fellowship, but to take a moment to recognize that this blessing begins with our hard-working farm and ranch families.” Arizona agriculture is a $9.2 billion industry, employing 70,000 workers and is a major component of the state’s strong economy.”
 
Based on this year’s average meal cost, Arizona residents can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal for around $5.00 per person. That’s worthy of many thanks,” Rogers added.
 
The average price of the remainder of the menu includes: three pounds of sweet potatoes, $4.71; a 16-ounce package of frozen green peas, $1.56; one gallon of whole milk, $3.19; a half-pint carton of whipping cream, $2.12; a package of two nine-inch pie shells, $2.67; a 12-ounce package of fresh cranberries, $2.54; a 14-ounce package of cubed stuffing, $2.79; a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.01; miscellaneous items like eggs, sugar, flour and coffee, $3.28; one-half pound each of carrots and celery for a relish tray, $1.11; and a 12-ounce package of brown-and-serve rolls, $1.99.
 
Arizona Farm Bureau comparison over last year
 
                                                            2008                            2007
Turkey, 16 lbs                                     $23.84                    $23.04
Cube Stuffing, 14 oz.                         $2.79                       $2.80
Pumpkin Pie Mix, 30 oz.                    $3.01                       $2.47
Pie Shells (2)                                      $2.67                       $2.12
Sweet Potatoes, 3 lbs                       $4.71                       $4.47
Brown & Serve Rolls, 12                   $1.99                       $1.99
Frozen Green Peas, 1 lb                   $1.56                       $2.04
Carrots and celery relish tray, l lb    $1.11                         $.99
Whole Milk, 1 gallon                           $3.19                       $3.21
Fresh Cranberriers, 12 oz.                $2.54                       $2.99
Whipping Cream, ½ pint                    $2.12                       $1.99
*Misc ingredients                                $3.28                       $3.03
 
*Coffee, onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter                   
 
Prices of past national surveys include: 1986 - $28.74; 1987 - $24.51; 1988 - $26.61; 1989 - $24.70; 1990 - $28.85; 1991 - $25.95; 1992 - $26.39; 1993 - $27.49; 1994 - $28.40; 1995 - $29.64; 1996 - $31.66; 1997 - $31.75; 1998 - $33.09; 1999 - $33.83; 2000 - $32.37; 2001 - $35.04; 2002 - $34.56; 2003 - $36.28; 2004 - $36.04; 2005 - $37.69; 2006 - $39.22 and
2007 - $51.14.
 
The Farm Bureau Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey is unscientific, but serves as a gauge of actual price trends across the state. This survey is based on shelf price and does not reflect special prices and promotional gimmicks.
 
Shoppers involved in this year’s survey were asked to identify the best in-store price, excluding promotional coupons and special deals. Farm Bureau’s survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.