Thanksgiving dinner could be more expensive this year

With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, some are focusing are now on making the perfect Thanksgiving dinner.

Inflation has made the cost of everything increase including the price of corn that is used to feed turkeys. So, that extra cost falls on you when you pick out your Thanksgiving turkey.

A farmer told WINK News that she’s noticing that not as many birds will be on tables this year.

Nicole Cruz knows a thing or two about turkeys. She owns and operates Circle C Farm where anywhere from 500 to 1,000 turkeys are trotting around. This farm is in Hendry County.

She says that people have been shopping differently for birds over the past couple of years. Smaller gatherings have meant smaller birds or even pieces for those COVID-19 cautious celebrations we’ve been having.

“There’s been a demand for the whole bird. But this year, we’re also seeing a greater demand for the cuts. And so, as a result of that, we have offered less whole birds,” said Cruz.

Circle C has turkey year-round but the farm begins marketing its Thanksgiving turkeys in the middle of the summer. All of them have been pre-ordered and sold out in mid-October.

“We’ve got people begging for a waiting list, but I don’t have anything else. It’s on a list. It’s put on a waitlist. So, the ones that we have sold and committed are already gone,” said Cruz.

Cruz also thinks that the closer we get to Thanksgiving, the more difficult it will be to find a frozen turkey at the grocery store. The average price of a frozen turkey was less than a dollar per pound in 2019, according to the USDA. This year, that price is about $1.36 per pound.

There are, however, ways to stretch that your turkey budget. Butterball Turkey expert Barbara Robinson says to go for a larger bird if you can. “Because of those leftovers. And the leftovers can be frozen for two months after you’ve had your meal so that will allow for definitely some additional meals,” Robinson said.

If not a larger bird, Cruz says you can get a smaller one along with another meat option. “You’re not just looking for Turkey, there are lots of options,” said Cruz.

Since Thanksgiving is still a few weeks ago, start planning ahead. One way to do that is by figuring out how many people will be attending your celebration. That can help you make a list and get everything you need for dinner in one trip.