ARIZONA, November 19, 2020 - 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 $47.02 for an Arizona family of 10, or around $4.70 per person. This is an increase of $4.34 or about 10% more than the 2019 Arizona Thanksgiving meal ($42.68). In comparison, American Farm Bureau’s marketbasket for a thanksgiving dinner meal for 10 is $46.90, $0.12 less.

Without factoring in store coupons or specials, the cost of a 16-pound turkey purchased in Arizona this year was $14.08, or $.88 per pound, which reflects an increase of $2.40 cents per pound compared to last year.  “An increase makes us hunt for the item that rose the most from last year, but the average cost for a classic Thanksgiving Dinner remains affordable for most Arizona families,” says Arizona Farm Bureau Outreach Director Julie Murphree. “If we break it down per person at $4.70, we realize how reasonable the 2020 Thanksgiving meal can be for the average family. Considering this outlier year, I’m encouraged that the other meat item, Ham, is down and that at least our sweet items are down, like pumpkin pie.”

The 2020 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 a traditional Thanksgiving dinner table. 

The Arizona Farm Bureau survey shopping list includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, milk, plus pumpkin pie with whipped cream, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty of leftovers. To make a proper comparison, these items are similar food items used in the Farm Bureau survey for the past two decades.

“Go to Arizona Farm Bureau’s Fill Your Plate to see a category called Thanksgiving Dinner recipes in our recipe section,” adds Murphree. “Our Arizona families asked us to feature these special recipes, some from our Arizona farm and ranch families.”

“This year has been particularly difficult for everyone and Thanksgiving is certainly a time to reflect on our blessings in the face of struggles,” said Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse, a cattle rancher, alfalfa and specialty crop farmer from Pima County. “Even with increased expenses on the farm and the uncertainties that surround all of us, Arizona’s farmers and ranchers are still able to provide a nutritional and affordable family meal to celebrate that which is most important to us.”

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.

“Arizona Farm Bureau is grateful to all Arizonans for supporting local farm and ranch families and we wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving,” Smallhouse concluded.

 

The average price of the remainder of the menu includes: three pounds of sweet potatoes, $4.59; a 16-ounce package of frozen green peas, $2.12; one gallon of whole milk, $2.65; a half-pint carton of whipping cream, $2.25; a package of two nine-inch pie shells, $2.83; a 12-ounce package of fresh cranberries, $2.59; a 14-ounce package of cubed stuffing, $3.81; a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.59; fresh vegetable tray, $1.48; and a 12-ounce package of brown-and-serve rolls, $3.78.

 

Arizona Farm Bureau comparison over last year, plus organic prices:

 

                                                           2020                            2019                2020 Organic

 

Turkey, 16 lbs.                                    $14.08 U                     $11.68             $48.00

Cube Stuffing, 14 oz.                          $3.81   U                     $3.18               $5.59

Pumpkin Pie Mix, 30 oz.                    $3.59   D                     $3.67               $6.99

Pie Shells (2)                                       $2.83   D                     $3.33               $5.99

Sweet Potatoes, 3 lbs.                         $4.59   D                     $4.80               $5.97

Brown & Serve Rolls, 12                    $3.78   U                     $3.74               $3.49

Frozen Green Peas, 1 lb.                     $2.12   U                     $1.60               $2.29

Whole Milk, 1 gallon                          $2.65   U                     $2.51               $4.99

Fresh Cranberries, 12 oz.                    $2.59   U                     $2.33               $4.44

Whipping Cream, ½ pint                    $2.25   U                     $1.55               $2.50

Vegetable tray, l lb.                             $1.48   U                     $1.15              $1.99

*Misc. ingredients                              $3.25   U                     $3.14               $4.25

 

Items We Track Not Included in Overall Total

Fresh Ham, 1lb.                                  $2.27   D                     $2.31               $3.20

Russet Potatoes, 5lbs.                         $2.16   U                     $2.06               $3.99

Frozen Green Beans, 1lb.                   $2.13   U                     $1.57               $2.29

                       

*Coffee, onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter

 

Prices of past surveys include: 1993 - $24.99; 1994 - $26.93; 1995 - $28.68; 1996 - $30.37; 1997 - $26.14; 1998 - $27.41; 1999 - $33.82; 2000 - $34.11; 2001 - $35.05; 2002 - $34.43; 2003 - $36.28 (national figure); 2004 - $35.22; 2005 - $37.69; 2006 - $39.22; 2007 - $51.14; 2008 - $52.81; 2009 – 40.47; 2010 – 44.17; 2011 – 50.06; 2012 – 47.53; 2013 – 48.63; 2014 - 46.16; 2015 - $47.83; 2016 - $46.27, 2017 - $39.82, 2018 - $39.17, and 2019 – $42.68

 

Organic prices include:  2011 – 106.39 (benchmark year); 2012 – 87.23; 2013 – 91.00; 2014 - 95.76; 2015 - $98.03; 2016 - $94.86; 2017 - $93.51. 2018 – 95.96. 2019 – (did not price for 2019). 2020 – 96.49

 

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.

The Arizona Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the agriculture industry through member involvement in education, political activities, programs and services. As a member services organization, individuals can become a member by contacting the Farm Bureau. Go to www.azfb.org to learn more. For information on member benefits call 480.635.3609. For recipes, farmers markets, farm products and farms to visit, go to Arizona Farm Bureau’s www.fillyourplate.org.