Despite A Pandemic, Thanksgiving Food Prices Increase Only Slightly in Indiana

Many will celebrate smaller in-person or virtual Thanksgivings this year, but they may still cook some version of the traditional meal.

Indiana Farm Bureau released its annual Thanksgiving buyer survey to estimate the price of a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year.  Spokesperson Molly Zentz said Thanksgiving food prices increased in Indiana, when compared to 2019.

“Overall the meal price is about 12 percent more than what Hoosiers would have paid for their Thanksgiving meal, considering if they purchased the same amount of items they did last year," Zentz said.

Zentz said many families may also choose to support local business over the holiday.

“There is such a push locally, and I’m sure across the country, to buy local and to support all of our local restaurants and even our local farmers, by purchasing directly from them,” Zentz said.

Also, according to the National Turkey Federation, there is an increased interest in smaller turkeys this year, or even turkey breast, due to an increase in smaller gatherings.