WKRG.com » News Stream » Local »

More Expensive Thanksgiving Dinner

By Associated Press

The Alabama Farmer's Federation says shopping for your Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings will cost you more this year at the grocery store. More Expensive Thanksgiving Dinner

Published: Tue, November 20, 2007 - 3:19 am Last Updated: Tue, November 20, 2007 - 3:24 am

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama cooks and chefs taking on the task of cooking this year's Thanksgiving dinner face higher prices at the grocery store - so says the Alabama Farmer's Federation.

Food prices rose 1 point-1 percent in November led by seasonal increases for fresh produce. Lettuce prices jumped 40 cents-per-head to an average price of $1.75. Tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes also cost more.

The federation said shoppers can find bargains at the meat counter - beef, poultry and pork products were down. But dairy goods, including milk and butter, are more expensive this month.

The average cost of a 16 pound turkey is $17.63. That's 12 cents-per-pound more when compared to 2006. The American Farm Bureau said this year's Thanksgiving Day dinner for 10 averaged $42.26. A $4.16 hike from last year.

The federation's regional survey showed the cost of 20 basic market basket items was highest in south Alabama at $53.62 and lowest in the northeast corner of the state at $50.27.

The survey was conducted the week of November 1st to the 10th.