As the cherished American holiday of Thanksgiving approaches next week, households across the country are gearing up to prepare the traditional, sumptuous feast that marks this special occasion. However, this year’s preparations come with a unique challenge: the bite of inflation on supermarket prices, which will impact the festive meal’s overall cost.
Inflation, an economic phenomenon that affects the value of money and the prices of goods and services, has yet to spare the Thanksgiving dinner table. Many shoppers, like Sylvia Rodriguez, have started to feel the pinch of these rising costs. Rodriguez shared her shopping experience for Thanksgiving, noting a significant increase in her expenditure compared to last year. “I went to get Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and was just kind of shocked at how much I spent because last year, I didn’t spend this much,” she said. “It’s sad, you know. You’re trying to make ends meet all the time, but I’m hoping it changes maybe in the coming years.” This sentiment reflects many’s struggle to balance holiday traditions with economic realities.
The impact of inflation is evident in the pricing of various Thanksgiving staples. While turkey prices have decreased approximately 16 percent from last year, Wells Fargo reports a 5 percent increase in the cost of ham. Side dishes, integral to the Thanksgiving experience, have also witnessed price hikes. Canned cranberry sauce is now 7 percent more expensive, sweet potatoes have risen by 4 percent, canned green beans essential for green bean casseroles are up by 9 percent, and canned pumpkin, a key ingredient in the beloved pumpkin pie, has surged by a staggering 30 percent.
Local shopper Diana Garcia echoes the concerns of many, noticing a significant rise in prices of Thanksgiving ingredients. “The prices have gone up on many of the things we use for Thanksgiving, and I can see the difference. Stuff that I used to pay maybe a dollar something for is now two something. Just a lot of things have gone up,” Garcia observed.
Jessica Torres, who recently purchased potatoes for her Thanksgiving meal, is unsurprised by the ongoing price increase. She remarks, “I’ve noticed a big price change in many things. You’re looking at a little over seven dollars for an eight-pound bag of potatoes. It’s shocking, but yeah, everything has gone up.”
As families across the nation prepare for a much more costly Thanksgiving than in previous years, the spirit of gratitude and togetherness that the holiday embodies still needs to be improved. Despite the financial challenges, the essence of Thanksgiving – a time to gather, give thanks, and enjoy a bountiful meal – continues to be a joy and celebration for many.