Those preparing the typical Thanksgiving meal this year can expect to pay a little less than last year, according to the Illinois Farm Bureau. They say volunteer shoppers participating in a Thanksgiving Cost Survey reported a statewide average of $63.87 for the typical meal this year, a 2.5 percent decrease over last year’s average of $65.53.
The national average price for the 16 pound turkey is $27.35, down 5.6 percent from last year. The American Farm Bureau reported a national average for the meal at $61.17, a decrease of 4.5 percent from last year’s $64.05. The price is still about 25 percent higher than it was in 2019, due to impacts in recent years from inflation.
The AFBF says the turkey is typically the most expensive item on the menu, followed by stuffing mix, pie crusts, and whipping cream. They also reported the regional differences in the cost of the meal, and said the cost in the Midwest is $58.66, which is the most affordable.
