The cost of traditional Thanksgiving meals is down slightly this year, according to recent findings from both local grocery chain Gerrity’s Supermarket and the financial services firm Wells Fargo. The overall expense for a typical Thanksgiving dinner, based on 15 key items, is now approximately $47.34, marking a 2.7% decrease from 2024. This decline also represents a more significant drop of 13.1% from 2022 and a modest 1% decrease compared to 2023.
Joe Fasula, co-owner of Gerrity’s, which operates ten supermarkets in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Northampton counties, highlighted specific price changes. The cost of essential ingredients like green beans has seen a notable reduction, with prices falling to $1.99 per pound, down $1 from last year. Other items such as a 3 lb. bag of sweet potatoes now costs $2.50, a decrease of 49 cents, while a gallon of whole milk is priced at $4.15, down 31 cents.
Despite these decreases, some items have risen in price. A 16 oz. can of cranberry sauce now costs $1.50, an increase of 51 cents, and celery has risen by 20 cents to $1.99. For customers using Gerrity’s Fresh Grocer Rewards card, a 20 lb. Butterball turkey is available for $16, the same as last year.
The slight price drop aligns with a broader trend reported by Wells Fargo, which indicates that the average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving menu has decreased by 2% to 3%. This is particularly significant given that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food at home has risen by 2.7% compared to last year. The report suggests that consumers can maximize savings by purchasing private label brands for items like stuffing and dinner rolls.
In a survey conducted by Empower, food affordability remains a pressing concern, with 26% of Americans planning to forgo Thanksgiving celebrations due to costs. Additionally, 42% of respondents indicated they would reduce the scale of their holiday meals. Despite these challenges, 73%38% of consumers plan to serve roasted chicken, while 30% may opt for non-traditional options such as burgers or pizza.
Technology is also playing a role this year, with 35% of Americans, including 47% of millennials, expected to utilize artificial intelligence to find grocery deals. This could potentially make holiday shopping more affordable and accessible for many families.
Fasula expressed his satisfaction with the overall cost reductions, stating, “I’m thrilled to report that our customers’ Thanksgiving dinner will cost less than last year. Even better, it will also cost them less than it did for the past three years.” He attributed this decrease to improved market conditions and the effectiveness of their Fresh Grocer buying co-op in securing more favorable pricing.
As Thanksgiving approaches, the combination of declining prices for many traditional items and the willingness of consumers to adapt their meal choices reflects a shifting landscape in holiday dining, highlighting both the economic challenges and the resilience of American consumers.
