RENO - Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and this year families will be able to enjoy all the fixings of a traditional meal for less than they did last year.
According to the 28th annual American Farm Bureau Federation price survey, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will be $49.04, down 44 cents (0.9 percent), from last year's average of $49.48.
At roughly $4.90 per person, total spending on Thanksgiving is expected to reach $13.5 million in Nevada, down 2.3 percent from the $13.8 million in holiday food sales predicted in 2012.
Bryan Wachter, of the Retail Association of Nevada, noted, "Although the price reduction is modest, families can plan ahead knowing that this year's Thanksgiving meal won't cost more than last. Having the cost of Thanksgiving remain stable should give Nevadans a bright start as the holiday season officially gets underway."
An increase in both turkey production and frozen turkey storage is likely responsible for the 47-cent decline in the price of a 16-pound turkey, which fell from $22.23 to $21.76 and contributed the most to the final Thanksgiving dinner total. Other fixings showing a decline in price included a dozen rolls (down 15 cents), one pound of green peas (down 12 cents), 14 ounces of cubed stuffing (down 10 cents), 12 ounces of fresh cranberries (down 3 cents) and two pie shells (down 2 cents).
Items displaying an increase in price included three pounds of sweet potatoes (reporting the greatest increase of 21 cents), 30-ounce pumpkin pie mix (up 8 cents), one gallon of whole milk (up 7 cents), a one-pound relish tray (up 5 cents), half a pint of whipping cream (up 2 cents) and miscellaneous ingredients (up 2 cents). Shoppers may be able to score an even cheaper Thanksgiving meal by taking advantage of various promotions.
Since 1986, the American Farm Bureau Federation has conducted informal price surveys of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table in quantities sufficient to serve a gathering of 10.[[In-content Ad]]
