Thanksgiving dinner costs hold steady for Hoosiers

SOUTH BEND, Ind.—The Indiana Farm Bureau says shoppers have something to be grateful for this holiday season, with Thanksgiving dinner costs holding nearly steady this year even as grocery prices continue to shift.

Shoppers across the Hoosier State will see only a small increase at checkout and will still pay less than the national average.

According to the Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual market basket survey, Hoosiers will pay an average of $53.62 to feed ten people, less than a one percent increase from last year. That cost is lower than the national average of $55.18, though still significantly higher than prices before the pandemic.

This year, produce prices are pushing the total up slightly, while cranberries, stuffing, rolls, whole milk, whipping cream and turkey are all slightly less expensive in Indiana than they were last year, according to the Farm Bureau.
A 16-pound turkey in Indiana, which ranks fourth in turkey production nationwide, averages 21.09, about two percent lower than the national price.

The USDA reports wholesale turkey prices are up 75 percent due to labor costs and avian influenza. But consumers may not feel that increase, as many major retailers are discounting turkeys or offering bundle deals to attract shoppers.

“Though in looking at wholesale prices this year, they are higher, but that doesn’t mean that all of that is going to be pushed down onto the consumer,” said Caitlinn Hubbell, an analyst with the Purdue Center for Food Demand Market Research. “It seems this year maybe more so than other years retailers are very aware of the financial constraints that consumers are experiencing and have really discounted or are offering bundles and promotions in order to get that turkey price down and encourage consumers to come and purchase a turkey this Thanksgiving.”

With Thanksgiving just one week away, many stores are rolling out those discounts now.