Northwest Iowa — The Farm Bureau’s annual survey of items used for a traditional Thanksgiving feast found a 14 percent increase in cost compared to last year.
Iowa Farm Bureau economist, Sam Funk, says they based the cost on a meal for ten people.
The price of the meal centerpiece turkey was up an average of one dollar, 50 cents per pound.
Some people canceled the big holiday gathering last year, but plan to return to the tradition this year — and that comes as he says the supply of turkeys is down by about four percent.
Other items in the Farm Bureau survey include frozen pie crusts, pumpkin pie mix, whipping cream, dinner rolls, fresh cranberries, rolls, whole milk, frozen peas, sweet potatoes, and stuffing. The increase for those items minus the turkey is six-point-six percent compared to last year. Funk says many people will tell you they can get a better turkey price by shopping.
Funk says in some cases you might find a late sale where turkey prices are below a buck a pound.
