Cost of Thanksgiving food down this year

The non-profit farmers' organization said in a release Thursday its 24th annual informal price survey found the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner items to feed 10 people will cost $42.91 this year. Last year, it was $44.61, a drop of 4 percent.

The dinner totals include the cost of turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee, milk and rolls with butter.

"Consistent with the retail food price declines seen throughout the year, consumers will pay just a bit less for their Thanksgiving feast this year," federation economist Jim Sartwelle said. "Consumers are benefiting at the grocery store from significantly lower energy prices and the effects of the economic slowdown."

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.