11/28/05 The cost of that Thanksgiving meal

Despite the coordination and the cooking the Thanksgiving meal is still a pretty good deal when compared to the cost of everything else. Oh I know by now the America Farm Bureau data as most likely reached the press, you know the story, that reports that the cost of a Thanksgiving meal for ten people was three percent this year higher this year then last . The American Farm bureau is attributing it to the higher energy prices that are reflected in food transportation costs, packaging and shipping. In fact some annalists are reporting that the cost of a gobbler rose faster than inflation. I don't buy it I still find Thanksgiving one of the most affordable meals to serve because of all the discounts and specials offered during this season. The average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for ten is now $36.78 cents up $1.10 from last year. I don't think I could even feed ten people pizza for that. When you think about it, at dollar ten is less then the cost of half a small Starbucks latte. Source: St. Petersburg times 11/21/05