Thanksgiving Predicted to Cost Less This Year?

A recent report from the American Farm Bureau Federation suggests that costs for some Thanksgiving staples will be down slightly this year compared to 2008. The AFBF, a farm advocacy organization that has conducted an informal annual survey of Thanksgiving food prices since 1986, suggests that lower costs for milk (down $.92 per gallon from last year) and turkey (down about 3 cents per pound from last year) may add up to a more wallet-friendly, if not waistline-friendly, holiday dinner for grocery shoppers in 2009.

A few other items that may be on your shopping list are expected to cost a bit less this year. Packaged rolls are down 12 cents per dozen, and fresh cranberries are down 5 cents per 12-ounce package. But the prices for pumpkin pie mix and pie shells are up a bit: 11 cents and 8 cents, respectively.

As the saying goes, mind the pennies and the dollars will mind themselves. The American Farm Bureau Federation's report suggests that the average, classic Thanksgiving dinner may cost up to 4% less this year than last year. Even if you're making your own pie crusts and special-ordering your turkey, lower costs at the grocery store would be something to be thankful for indeed.

Have you seen prices for holiday staples changing at your local market in the weeks running up to Thanksgiving? Do costs seem to be going up or down where you are?

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by Siobhan Adcock

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