Accounting for Thanksgiving

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) the cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner is up this year, but still affordable. An AFBF survey found the cost of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all basic trimmings for 10 came in at an average of $44.61, up $2.35 over last year’s average of $42.26.

The AFBF survey shopping list includes 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.

As you might expect, the largest contributor to the overall increase in the cost of the 2008 Thanksgiving dinner is the bird. A 16-pound turkey, at $19.09 or roughly $1.19 per pound. Other costs are as follows:

• 12-oz. package of brown-n-serve rolls, $2.20
• 12-oz. package of fresh cranberries, $2.46
• 30-oz. can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.34
• two 9-inch pie shells, $2.26
• 14-oz. package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.57
• relish tray of carrots and celery, 82 cents
• half-pint of whipping cream, $1.70
• pound of green peas, $1.58
• three pounds of sweet potatoes, $3.12
• miscellaneous items, including coffee, onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter $2.69
• gallon of whole milk dropped 10 cents to $3.78

There you have it! Indulge and enjoy.

Image Credit: HillaryH, Flickr