When you sit down to your Thanksgiving Day meal Thursday, there is one more thing to be thankful for -- the cost of what you'll eat. This year, the turkey supply is up and so are most of the fixings, and that means prices are down.
Every year the American Farm Bureau Federation keeps a yearly tab on the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for ten. This year you'll save a$1.70. The average cost is $42.91 compared to 2008 when it cost $44.61.
"Turkey prices are down this year", said Vince Luicbello, store manager at Bales Market Place in Cedar Hill.
You'll save about three cents a pound over last year. Saving 44 cents on a 16 pound bird.
The biggest savings will come in the dairy case. A gallon of whole milk will cost nearly a dollar less.
A lot of produce prices though tout are down from a year a ago". notes Lucibello.
There are also savings to be had in produce. Sweet Potatoes are down and you'll pocket a nickel a bag on fresh cranberries.
"There's a big supply of them," said Lucibello.
Last year there was a shortage of cranberries, but this year there is much more supply.
You'll save on desert too. Frozen pie crust is down, but hat pumpkin pie filling is up only slightly because of shortage of pumpkin. Libby the country's largest producer lost a lot of its crop underwater this year.
Keep in mind, Wednesday will the busiest shopping day. Many store are staying open late. Bales will be open until
midnight. The store will also be open Thanksgiving Day for those last minute items.
