Cost Of Thanksgiving Dinner In Iowa Drops For 3rd Year In A Row

We've got some good news and bad news.

The pre-Thanksgiving grocery store run can be a particularly expensive one. But this year, it may not be too bad.

Stats from American Farm Bureau Federation's 40th annual Thanksgiving meal survey shows that the average cost of a 10-serving "classic holiday meal" is $55.18, which is actually a 5% decrease from 2024.

If it still sounds pricey, it could actually get worse. The Midwest average came in below the national average at $54.38, while the expanded menu (ham, Russet potatoes, frozen green beans) bumps it to $77.09.

Now, the thing with this is that full meal survey costs are still up from pre-pandemic levels.

The study found that there's an even split on surveyed food item costs this year: half of them increased, while half of them decreased.

According to their meal survey, items that overall decreased include:

• 16-pound frozen turkey
• 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries
• 1 dozen dinner rolls
• 14-ounces of cubed stuffing mix
• 2 frozen pie crusts

Items that increased in price this year include:

• 3 pounds of sweet potatoes (largely due to hurricane damage in North Carolina, the nation's top producer)
• 1 pound veggie tray
• 1 pound of frozen peas
• 1 gallon of whole milk
• 1/2 pint of whipping cream
• 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix

Meanwhile, as for Iowa farmers, the study found that their net farm income fell by 53% from 2022-2024. Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau’s research and economics manager, said in a release:

Thanksgiving deals are helpful for families, but profitability for farmers continues to be a challenge in 2025. Iowa farmers face historically low crop prices, high input costs and tight margins, yet they remain resilient and committed to doing what they do best—caring for their land, practicing good stewardship and raising healthy animals to provide abundant, affordable food for families here at home and across the country.

You can compare this year's results with years past at fb.org.