Thanksgiving meal costs in Wisconsin dropped 2.1% this year to $57.61, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s annual Marketbasket survey.
“Agricultural production and food processing in Wisconsin increased by 10.9 percent in recent years,” said Cassie Sonnentag, WFBF senior director of public relations. “The abundance and diversity of Wisconsin agriculture continues to be reflected in Wisconsin’s Marketbasket survey results.”
The Marketbasket study examines the prices of popular food items used to prepare a Thanksgiving meal immense enough for 10 people. This study compares food prices in Wisconsin to food prices nationwide. By comparison, a survey of the same products by the American Farm Bureau Federation showed a 5% decline from 2023, with domestic prices at $58.08.
What is Marketbasket Research?
The Wisconsin Thanksgiving Basket Study is an informal, annual review of food price trends as they relate to changing farm prices, weather, and wholesale and retail food marketing. In November, members of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau sampled the prices of 15 Thanksgiving food items.
Volunteers shopping at Farm Bureau were asked to look for the best prices, without using special promotional coupons or purchase offers.
This is the second year in a row that shoppers are reporting a decline in the cost of Thanksgiving meals both in Wisconsin and nationwide. The moderate decline, however, does not negate the dramatic price increases that occurred in 2022, when both state and national surveys reached record levels.
“Despite fluctuations in food prices, farmers’ share of food dollars remains at 15.9 cents on the dollar,” Sonnentag said. “Ultimately, farmers continue to feel the burden of increased input costs; They are price takers, not price makers.”
| Wisdom 2024 | Wisdom 2023 | National 2024 | National 2023 | |
| Türkiye, 16 lbs. | $25.60 | $26.56 | $25.67 | $27.35 |
| Milk, 1 gallon whole | $3.24 | $3.24 | $3.21 | $3.74 |
| Cream, half a liter | $2.06 | $1.94 | $1.81 | $1.73 |
| Dinner rolls, 12 | $3.79 | $3.63 | $4.16 | $3.84 |
| Spice tray (1 pound carrot/celery) | $0.86 | $0.88 | $0.84 | $0.90 |
| Fresh cranberries, 12 oz. | $2.20 | $2.29 | $2.35 | $2.10 |
| Pumpkin cake mix, 30 oz. | $4.23 | $4.35 | $4.15 | $4.44 |
| Cake shells (2) | $3.42 | $3.58 | $3.40 | $3.50 |
| Cube filling, 14 oz. | $3.59 | $3.16 | $4.08 | $3.77 |
| Sweet potatoes, 3 lbs. | $3.15 | $3.42 | $2.93 | $3.97 |
| Frozen green beans, 1 lb. | $1.72 | $1.86 | $1.73 | $1.88 |
| Various ingredients | $3.75 | $3.95 | $3.75 | $3.95 |
| TOTAL | $57.61 | $58.86 | $58.08 | $61.17 |
Farm Bill: Protecting our farmers
“While shoppers may appreciate lower grocery bills, a modernized Farm Bill to secure those prices and support farmers is long overdue,” said WFBF National Affairs Director Tyler Wenzlaff.
The impact of the farm bill goes far beyond the fields, playing a key role in protecting the nation’s food supply by ensuring access to food for those in need, supporting environmental conservation efforts and driving innovation through research. This is an crucial safeguard for farmers, helping them face unpredictable challenges such as natural disasters, rising production costs and inflationary pressures that threaten their ability to produce the food we rely on.
Recent disruptions to the food supply chain, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, have highlighted the urgent need for an Agriculture Bill that addresses the realities farmers face today. Although the cost of Thanksgiving meals has declined over the past two years, inflation continues to impact both farmers and consumers.
“In the United States, 84% of adults agree that ensuring a safe and abundant food supply is a matter of national security,” Wenzlaff said. “Both farmers and consumers deserve a forward-looking, five-year Farm Bill, and it’s time for Congress to prioritize this essential legislation.”
Food safety: protecting your family
You can make this a secure holiday by prioritizing food safety by following some basic practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness:
- Proper defrosting: Turkeys in particular require a long time to thaw safely. The best method is to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for each 4 to 5 pounds of meat. Avoid defrosting at room temperature as this may encourage bacterial growth.
- Cleanliness: Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food, and tidy cutting boards, utensils and countertops with heated soapy water to avoid cross-contamination. Don’t forget to rinse fruits and vegetables under running water to remove bacteria before serving or cooking.
- Temperature: The best way to make sure your holiday meats are cooked to a secure internal temperature is to exploit a food thermometer. For turkey, aim for an internal temperature of 50°F in the thickest part of the breast and thighs. If you cook the stuffing in the turkey, make sure it also reaches 50°F, or consider preparing it separately.
- Correct storage and heating: After a meal, refrigerate leftovers immediately – within two hours of cooking – and exploit shallow containers to keep food frigid quickly. When reheating, bring leftovers to an internal temperature of 50°F and enjoy within 3-4 days before the holiday.
