Thanksgiving menu costs rise slightly
A Thanksgiving feast for 10 people will cost an average of $49.41 this year, up just 37 cents from 2013, according to an annual survey.
The figures – including turkey, sweet potatoes and dairy items produced in great volume in and near Stanislaus County – came from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“We are blessed to be able to provide a special holiday meal for 10 people for about $5 per serving, less than the cost of most fast-food meals,” John Anderson, the group’s deputy chief economist, in a news release.
The 29th annual survey involved 179 volunteer shoppers in 35 states. They looked for bargains for a home-cooked meal but did not use coupons or free-turkey promotions. The list does not include wine, another big industry in the region.
The results:
Turkey: $21.65 on average for a 16-pound bird, down 11cents from 2013
Sweet potatoes: $3.56, up 20cents
Stuffing mix: $2.54, down 13cents
Peas: $1.55, up 1cent
Rolls: $2.17, down 1cent
Relish tray: 82 cents for carrots and celery, up 1cent
Cranberries: $2.34, down 8cents
Pumpkin pie mix: $3.12, up 2cents
Pie shells: $2.42, down 7cents
Whipping cream: $2, up 15cents
Milk: $3.76, up 10cents
Miscellaneous: $3.48, up 28cents
The first survey in 1986 found a total cost of $28.74 for the same items, but adjusted for inflation, it is close to the 2014 total.
Bee staff writer John Holland can be reached at jholland@modbee.com or (209)578-2385.
COOKING TURKEY SAFELY
This advice on safe turkey handling comes from Foster Farms, which processes the birds in Turlock, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
▪ Thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
▪ Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before touching any food.
▪ Do not wash the turkey. This would splash pathogens onto kitchen surfaces.
▪ Keep raw turkey separate from all other foods, using different cutting boards, plates and utensils.
▪ Cook the turkey until a meat thermometer reads 180 to 185 degrees at the thigh, 170 to 175 degrees at the breast, and 165 degrees at the center of the stuffing.
▪ Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
More information is at www.foodsafety.gov or www.fosterfarms.com.
This story was originally published November 25, 2014 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Thanksgiving menu costs rise slightly."