The cost of Thanksgiving dinner rising slightly

Feeding the family this Thanksgiving will cost slightly more, but rose less over the past year than in recent holiday seasons, according to statistics.

Turkey prices are the culprit for the 2014 increase. The U. S. Department of Agriculture states turkey prices will be about a dime a pound more than last year. That’s $1.15 a pound rather than $1.05 in 2013, officials state in national news releases.

Prices for the traditional fowl are up because of increasing feed costs during the drought in 2012.

The rest of the traditional menu, from mashed potatoes to cranberries, have held on pricing so the fixings won’t cost extra, according to agricultural data.

Holiday prices have been a roller coaster for Americans in recent years.

Data from the American Farm Bureau Federation states that prices for the traditional 2013 meal were on average .44 cents per person lower than in 2012.

There was a high spike between 2010 and 2011 holidays in turkey prices with the average cost rising by almost 78 percent, causing the price to jump from $1.05 to $1.36 a pound.

Other holiday foods also rose that year by around 2 percent, according to data.

Earl Smith, a partner of Triangle Foods in Rockmart, said turkey prices in his store have remained close to the same as last year. It’s the ham prices that have gone up with some selections between 50 and 60 cents a pound higher than last year.

“Other than that, every thing else is pretty much the same,” Smith said.

Triangle got a load of frozen turkeys in on Friday and are ready for early shoppers. He said some are starting to buy for the holiday now.

“We are starting to see people buying some of the dry goods,” Smith said. “A lot of people wait until the week before.”

He said most people wait because they don’t have enough shelf space in their refrigerators.

Glynn Jenkins, director of communications and public relations of Kroger, Atlanta Division, said Cedartown customers looking for lower prices can find that in Kroger.

“While some economists have suggested the standard Thanksgiving meal may cost slightly more this year, Kroger’s already low prices – combined with our seasonal sales, special promotions and digital coupons at Kroger.com – will help customers offset the extra cost,” Jenkins said.

Besides the themed promotions and mega sales, Jenkins said customers can also buy Kroger’s private label, once referred to as generic, items to save money.

“Our private- label offerings are produced with an extremely high standard of quality and freshness and are available at a lower cost,” Jenkins said.

Like Smith, Jenkins said most customers will do their holiday shopping this coming weekend.

“Our stores are bustling with customers making early plans for their holiday menus, home décor and host gifts. Although frozen turkeys and trimmings are purchased earlier each year, we expect peak shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving Day,” Jenkins said.