Traditional Thanksgiving Meal Cheaper in Louisiana Than National Average
By Keely Ana Dillon
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
Although grocery prices remain high historically nationwide, they have dropped for a second year in a row.
Louisiana consumers will spend even less this Thanksgiving. According to a statewide sample of prices for the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey, Louisiana residents should expect to spend $12.24 less than the national average for a classic Thanksgiving dinner for ten people.
The classic dinner includes 11 main items, such as a turkey, veggie tray, pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes, along with the cost for miscellaneous ingredients like eggs, flour and evaporated milk.
The average cost for those items in Louisiana is $45.84, which is less than both last year’s state average and the national average. According to the American Farm Bureau, this year’s national average is $58.08, approximately $3 lower than last year.
If you upgrade the meal to also include boneless ham, russet potatoes and frozen green beans, the cost in Louisiana will increase $18.22 to $64.06. That’s still $13.28 lower than the national average of $77.34.
“Farmers and ranchers across the state work tirelessly each day to ensure that we reap the benefits of their harvest during Thanksgiving,” Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot said. “Despite rising costs and narrow profit margins, it’s their hard work that sustains us.”
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 is only $4.17, less than the cost of the meal per person.
The overall cost for Thanksgiving dinner may be less in Louisiana, but shoppers here can expect to pay $1.48 more than the national average for a gallon of milk and $0.26 more than the national average for russet potatoes. However, Louisiana shoppers pay significantly less than the national average for the turkey and cubed stuffing. The average price in Louisiana for a 16-pound turkey is $10.23 less than the national average and Louisiana shoppers pay $1.11 less for cubed stuffing.
“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.”
Here is a compiled list of the average price for each survey item from Louisiana.
Frozen Turkey, 16lbs.: $15.44
Cubed Stuffing, 14oz.: $2.97
Dinner Rolls, 12: $3.20
Sweet Potatoes, 3 lbs.: $2.75
Veggie Tray (½ lbs. carrot and ½ lbs. celery): $0.75
Whole Milk, 1 gallon: $4.69
Pumpkin Pie Mix, 30 oz.: $4.13
Fresh Cranberries, 12 oz.: $2.29
Whipping Cream, ½ pint: $1.82
Frozen Green Peas, 1 lb: $1.31
Frozen Pie Shells, 2 per package: $2.74
Miscellaneous ingredients: $3.75
Total- Classic Thanksgiving Dinner: $45.84
Boneless Ham, 4 lbs.: $13.75
Russet Potatoes, 5 lbs.: $2.89
Frozen Green Beans, 1 lb: $1.59
Total- Updated Thanksgiving Dinner: $64.06