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Cost of Thanksgiving
Posted: 11.22.2010 at 5:54 PM
Updated: 11.23.2010 at 12:10 PM
Chad Douglas

Chad Douglas is an Anchor and a Reporter for KHQA.

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frozen turkey  / File photo
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QUINCY, ILL. -- It's T-minus three days till Turkey Day...are you ready?

Your answer may depend on if you're a guest or the host.

An Associated Press article out of Atlanta says the cost of your Thanksgiving meal this year is up one point three percent.

However, an article in an Indiana newspaper says Thanksgiving dinner will be a bargain this year.

KHQA checked in with a local County Market store to find out what you'll pay this year for this KHQA Safe Family consumer report.

"I think costs are up slightly this year compared to previous years," says Todd Musolino.

That depends on what you buy. Todd Musolino is a Store Director with County Market. He says turkeys are up just a little bit this year.

"I think you see your pineapple and seasonal items, cream of mushroom, yams, potatoes are all pretty much what we've seen in past years," says Musolino.

And with a little clever shopping and maybe coupons, you might be able to save money this year. Musolino says the grocery business is a very competitive business, and no matter the store, it wants your business, so it pays to watch the weekly ads. Also, County Market is running a program where if you spend $300 in a month's time, you get a free turkey.

"You're going to feed a family for under $50 or $60...under $100. You're not going to a restaurant and get that at the price that's for sure," says Musolino.

So what's behind the rise in cost this year? The AP article says corn has a lot to do with it. Many farmers feed their turkeys corn. Corn prices are up, so the price gets passed down to you. Then you have to figure in gas prices.

"Fuel kind of regulates it anyway. No matter our business or anybody's business. If fuel prices are high, you're going to see food and everything else go right on with it," says Musolino.

Some good news out of all of this, grocery stores usually run specials on seasonal items. You can also save money by leaving out some more expensive sides and fixing dishes that won't cost as much.

Or you could invite fewer people to your gathering.

That's not a nice way to look at it, especially when it's all a numbers game.

When you hear prices are up this year, you might think the worst.

Actually crunching the numbers may make you feel better.

The American Farm Bureau Federation does an annual study, and it estimates you can put a turkey dinner and all the fixings on the table this year for 10 guests for $43.47.

That's $0.56 more than last year's average.

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