BY SUSAN BLOWER
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Americans can be thankful again this year that the classic Thanksgiving feast has increased in price only slightly, according to an informal survey by Farm Bureau.

In Indiana, the cost for a dinner for 10 people was up by $1.86, while nationally the increase was only 56 cents in the 25th annual Thanksgiving market basket survey.

The meal in the Hoosier state costs about $45.79, which is a slight decrease from the all-time high in 2007 of $47.63. The Indiana survey has been conducted annually since 1993.

Indiana’s data is factored into the national survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The data is collected on a 16-pound turkey, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, and pumpkin pie mix.

Volunteer shoppers from 34 states looked for the best price on these items without the use of coupons or purchase deals. The turkey decreased by 99 cents this year on the national scene.
“Thanksgiving is a time for us all to count our blessings,” said Isabella Chism, Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB) second vice president. “As a consumer as well as a farmer, I count among my blessings the safe and affordable food we produce in the United States – the farmers who make it possible.”

Neither the Indiana nor national survey is scientific, but considered a “snapshot of prices.”

“We’re seeing a slight uptick in overall food prices that’s consistent with the moderate price increases across the board as the U.S. economy and consumer demand recover,” said Dave Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau director of research and commodity services.

“Even with this small increase, the affordable prices, security and food safety American consumers enjoy is an incredible value that can’t be matched anywhere else in the world,” Miller said.

Despite the rich variety and nutrition of this annual feast, eating at home on the holiday is still cheaper than fast food. That’s without using coupons or special deals.

“At $4.35 per person ($4.58 on the Indiana survey), our traditional Thanksgiving feast is still a better deal than most fast-food value meals, plus it’s a wholesome, home-cooked meal,” said American Farm Bureau Federation Economist John Anderson.