Food prices are up, and that means the cost of Thanksgiving dinner is up too.
Consumers may see an increase of 12.8% to serve up a Thanksgiving meal for 10, according to Island Harvest Food Bank in Melville.
After navigating supply-chain shortages and rising prices, this year there is an additional challenge: the recent outbreak of avian flu. The outbreak could send turkey prices up to 73% a pound, experts say.
Nationally more than 47.7 million birds have been affected by avian flu in 43 states that includes 251 commercial flocks and 328 backyard flocks, U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show.
Now, Island Harvest’s annual turkey and trimmings collection campaign is underway across Long Island at supermarkets, schools, places of worship and more through Dec. 30.
“Long Islanders have always stepped up to help their neighbors in need,” Randi Shubin Dresner, Island Harvest’s president and CEO said in a statement. “
We understand that so many families are struggling to make ends meet, so we are grateful for any donation they can afford so that we can help the most vulnerable among us can share the warmth and joy of a traditional holiday-style meal with their loved ones,” she added.
This year, for Long Islanders coping with food insecurity around holiday time, there is demand for as many as 18,500 turkeys and tens of thousands of pounds of trimmings. That’s up from 16,891 turkeys from last year, according to Island Harvest.
And it’s not just the increased cost of turkey triggering challenges around holiday budgets. The cost of bread is now up by 16.2%, eggs by 39.8%, milk by 17% and fruits and vegetables by 9.4%, according to published reports.
All of this contributes to prices that have crept up since the pandemic. In 2020, for example, the price of Thanksgiving dinner for ten people cost $46.90. In 2021, those costs jumped to $53.31. And in 2022, that same holiday dinner is expected to cost around $61.
The items needed include a frozen turkey or chicken, ham, nonperishable products like stuffing, canned yams, cranberry sauce, and other canned goods. In addition, personal care items like soap, shampoo, deodorant and so on are also welcome. Supermarket gift cards and monetary contributions are also accepted.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
