The Thanksgiving dinner inflation: By the numbers
This year, your turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie will gobble up even more of your food budget — 22 percent more for the bird alone
It's almost Turkey Day. And this year, your bird will cost 22 percent more than 2010's, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual survey of Thanksgiving foodstuffs. The (admittedly unscientific) results were calculated based on the prices paid by 141 volunteer shoppers in 35 states. Here, a guide to the Thanksgiving dinner inflation, by the numbers:
$43.47
Cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people last year, according to the survey
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
$49.20
Cost of the same meal this year. That 13 percent increase is the biggest since 1990. "A dinner for 10 at under $5 a head is still a bargain," the Farm Bureau's John Anderson says.
$28.74
Cost of the meal in 1986
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
$17.66
Cost of a 16-pound turkey in 2010
$21.57
Cost of a 16-pound turkey this year
22
Percent increase in the cost of turkeys since last year. "Turkey prices are higher this year primarily due to strong consumer demand both here in the U.S. and globally," says a senior economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation.
$3.24
Cost of a gallon of whole milk in 2010
$3.66
Cost this year, a 13 percent increase
$2.62
Cost of 30 ounces of pumpkin pie mix in 2010
$3.03
Cost this year, a 16 percent increase
$2.90
Average price of a gallon of unleaded gas around Thanksgiving 2010
$3.45
Average price this year, about an 18 percent increase. "You have to love it when you have gas up nearing 20 percent and the cost of turkey up over 22 percent," says Jon C. Ogg at 24/7 Wall St.
Sources: 24/7 Wall St, American Farm Bureau Federation, BloombergBusinessweek, Consumerist, Los Angeles,
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The World War Two experiments that made D-Day possible
Under The Radar Scientists performed gruelling tests on themselves paving the way for the iconic invasion
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Is the Supreme Court about to criminalize homelessness?
Talking Points The court will decide if bans on outdoor camping are 'cruel and unusual'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fall into the groove at these delightful record stores
The Week Recommends Each one strikes its own chord
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published