A Thanksgiving family feast to feed 10 people in Louisiana this year is more affordable than any other state in the U.S. except for Arkansas, according to the annual American Farm Bureau cost survey.
The cost for 11 market basket items including a whole frozen turkey in Louisiana in 2025 is $44.70. That’s more than $10 cheaper than the national average of $55.18.
Louisiana consumers who want to upgrade the feast to also include a boneless ham, russet potatoes and frozen green beans will spend $65.07 compared to the national average of $77.09.
Inflation rose at a 2.6% annual rate in October, according to the consumer price index report released last week, but food prices are up just 1.1% from 2023.
According to the USDA, the farmer’s share of every dollar spent on food is 9.1 cents. This year, the farmer’s share of a classic Thanksgiving dinner in Louisiana slightly more than $5, lower than the cost of the meal per person.
“It’s important to keep a couple things in mind — first is, farmers and ranchers across the state work hard to ensure we have the safest, most affordable food supply in the world,” Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot said. “Second, farmers receive a fraction of the cost of that Thanksgiving meal for the essentials we supply.”
U.S. farmers are expected to raise about 205 million turkeys this year, the lowest amount since 1985 because of an increase in avian influenza, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s September report.
Consumers who shop grocery store specials can lower the cost of Thanksgiving even more.
For example, Super One Foods is offering whole frozen turkeys at 57 cents per pound with an additional $25 purchase and shank smoked hams for 97 cents per pound as well as specials on other Thanksgiving staples.
“Remember to thank a farmer today,” Louisiana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Michele Simoneaux said. “They’re the reason we can gather around the table and share a meal with our families – every day, not just on Thanksgiving.”
Following is the compiled list of the average price for each Farm Bureau survey item from Louisiana:
∎ Classic Thanksgiving dinner (total $44.70): Frozen Turkey, 16 lbs., $15.48; cubed stuffing, 14 oz., $3.43; dinner rolls, 12, $3.05; sweet potatoes, 3 lbs., $2.89; veggie tray (½ lbs. carrot and ½ lbs. celery), $1.16; whole milk, 1 gallon, $4.04; pumpkin pie mix, 30 oz., $3.89; fresh cranberries, 12 oz., $1.67; whipping cream, ½ pint, $1.61; frozen green peas, 1 lb., $1.55; frozen pie shells, 2 per package, $3.01; and miscellaneous ingredients, $2.92.
∎ Classic upgraded Thanksgiving dinner (total $65.07): boneless ham, 4 lbs., $15.77; russet potatoes, 5 lbs., $2.83; and frozen green beans, 1 lb., $1.76.
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Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How much does Thanksgiving dinner with turkey cost in Louisiana?
