Arizona Farm Bureau’s 2024 Thanksgiving market basket is $53.38, up 2.8% from last year.

 

ARIZONA, November 20, 2024, - As Arizonans sit down at the Thanksgiving dinner table to dig into the traditional feast this year, the turkey dinner with all the trimmings will cost $53.38 for an Arizona family of 10, or around $5.33 per person. This is an overall increase of $1.49 or 2.8% more than the 2023 Arizona Thanksgiving meal ($51.89). The national average cost of the Thanksgiving meal is $58.08, or $4.70 more than Arizona’s Thanksgiving meal.

 

From American Farm Bureau Federation, the national average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $58.08, down $3.09 or 5% compared to last year’s average of $61.17. That’s less than $6 per person for the meal. But the cost is still 19% higher than it was five years ago, which highlights the impact high supply costs and inflation have had on food prices.

 

Without factoring in-store coupons or specials (priced prior to store specials), the cost of a 16-pound turkey purchased in Arizona this year was $19.36, or $1.21 per pound, which reflects an increase of $0.07 per pound compared to last year’s $18.32 16-pound turkey. “The increase in the price of the turkey was not as significant as the increase for cube stuffing, pie shells and sweet potatoes,” said Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Director Julie Murphree. “And the turkey will always be the most important centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal, especially since it's an important meat protein. The turkey supply is a bit tighter than last year and could be part of the increase we’re seeing.”

 

The 2024 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. Volunteer leaders from the Arizona Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee throughout Arizona went into their local grocery stores the week of November 4 to price-check the market basket items.

 

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 the same food items used in the Farm Bureau survey for the past three decades.

 

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

 

Shawn Wood, Chair of the Arizona Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership, underscores the significance of the iconic protein that graces traditional Thanksgiving feasts. “This year, celebrating Thanksgiving at home promises to be a special time despite a slight increase, we are always thankful for the abundant options our farmers and ranchers provide,” remarked Wood, a Maricopa County Farm Bureau member. “The turkey, which stands as the meal's highlight, is an excellent source of protein, rich in essential vitamins and minerals.”

 

Arizona farmers and ranchers produce most of the ingredients in the traditional Thanksgiving meal including dressing (bread, onions, and celery), peas, pumpkin, pecans for pies, and several others. Even roses, sometimes used for holiday centerpieces, are grown in Arizona.

 

“Enjoy your celebrations with a sentiment of appreciation for the farmers and ranchers who help bring the food to your family’s table,” added Wood.

 

Added Murphree, “I challenge our Arizona families to put their sophisticated shopping hats on and beat our market basket price of $53.38. Most focused Arizona shoppers can beat our market basket since we don’t shop with discounts. Though we’re dealing with an increase overall, there are no shortage of ways to create savings in your special holiday meal including in-store discounts and item substitutes. Many of our families will be choosing between turkey, pork or beef, all wonderfully nutritious options.”

 

The average price of the remainder of the menu is listed below, also showing the comparison to last year’s market basket.

 

Arizona Farm Bureau comparison over last year:

 

                                                 2024                            2023                                                     

 

Turkey, 16 lbs.                        $19.36 U                     $18.32                                     

Cube Stuffing, 14 oz.              $3.73 U                       $3.55                                                   

Pumpkin Pie Mix, 30 oz.        $4.67 D                       $4.80                                                   

Pie Shells (2)                           $3.32 U                       $2.74                                                   

Sweet Potatoes, 3 lbs.             $4.60 U                       $4.42                                                   

Brown & Serve Rolls, 12        $4.01 D                       $4.27                                                   

Frozen Green Peas, 1 lb.         $1.78 D                       $2.31                                                   

Whole Milk, 1 gallon              $3.01 U                       $2.97                                                   

Fresh Cranberries, 12 oz.        $2.13 U                       $1.95                                                   

Whipping Cream, ½ pint        $2.08 U                       $1.76                                                   

Vegetable tray, l lb.                 $0.93 U                       $0.86                                                   

*Misc. ingredients                  $3.75 D                       $3.95                                                   

 

Items We Track Not Included in Overall Total

Fresh Ham, 4 lb.                                                          $15.04                                                 

Russet Potatoes, 5 lbs.                                                 $3.20                                       

Frozen Green Beans, 1 lb.                                           $2.31                                                   

                        

*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 2020 - $47.02; 2021 – $49.62; 2022 – $71.88; 2023 – $51.89

 

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. (Have not priced since 2019)

 

The Farm Bureau Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey is unscientific but serves as an indicator of actual price trends across the state. This survey is based on shelf prices at the time item prices were captured and does not reflect special prices and promotional gimmicks.

 

Arizona Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee shoppers involved in this year’s survey were asked to identify the best in-store price, excluding promotional coupons and special deals. The 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 advocacy, communication and education that include programs and services to support our Arizona farmers and ranchers and our 30,000 members. As a member services organization, individuals can become a member by going to www.azfb.org. 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.