Illinois, The Cost Of Your Thanksgiving Is The Cheapest In The U.S.

Thanksgiving is almost here and many people in Illinois and throughout the Midwest have purchased or are buying food to eat with family and friends. While that may seem like a big chunk of money you're spending on a Thanksgiving meal, it's not as much as many others are paying.

A new study shows that a Thanksgiving meal in Illinois and the rest of the Midwest is cheaper than anywhere else in the U.S. So go ahead, buy those extra potatoes and green bean casserole.

Cost Of A Thanksgiving Meal

The American Farm Bureau Federation reports the average cost of this year's Thanksgiving meal for 10 is $61.17, a 4.5% decrease from last year. However, the cost is still 25% higher than in 2019.

The most significant price fluctuations were 12-ounce bags of cranberries and half pints of whipping cream, which dropped 18% and 23% respectively. Pumpkin pie filling and a 12-pack of dinner rolls saw modest price increases at 3.8% and 3%.

With more turkeys available, the average price of this Thanksgiving centerpiece dropped to $27.35, or $1.71 per pound, a 5.6% decrease from last year.

An expanded menu, which includes boneless ham, russet potatoes, and frozen green beans, increased the classic meal price to $84.75.

Those living in Illinois, Iowa, and the Midwest will reap the benefits of a more affordable Thanksgiving meal, averaging $58.66.

There were fewer cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2023 compared to 2022.

While a less costly holiday meal is welcome news for many, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers receive less than 15 cents of every dollar spent on food, with the rest covering marketing, transportation, and labor.

Data recently released by the Iowa National Agricultural Statistics Service also shows average annual farm production costs in Iowa exceeded $420,000. Pudenz adds while high grain prices helped offset record expenses, farm income is forecasted to decline by 23%.

The American Farm Bureau annual Thanksgiving dinner survey is compiled with pricing data provided by Farm Bureau members from all 50 states from Nov. 1-6. Items in the survey include frozen pie crusts, pumpkin pie mix, whipping cream, dinner rolls, fresh cranberries, rolls, whole milk, frozen peas, sweet potatoes, and stuffing.

For additional details on the survey results, visit www.fb.org.