Thanksgiving dinner costs drop this year in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, last-minute shoppers were spotted in grocery stores like Acme on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd as Thanksgiving approached on November 28, 2024. Many shoppers reported observing lower prices on various items compared to the previous year. A shopper, Felicia, mentioned she was purchasing sweet potato pies and noted, 'a lot of sales' were available. While some shoppers acknowledged that costs are still relatively high, the American Farm Bureau Federation reported a significant decrease in the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for ten people, which is expected to be $58, down from the peak of $64 in 2022. This indicates a broader trend of decreasing prices for key Thanksgiving staples. However, the report also highlighted that specific items saw price increases; for instance, cranberries have risen by 16% and wine by 2% compared to the previous year. Generally, there is a decline in prices for other staples such as pumpkin and green beans, with reductions of at least 9%. Notably, the price for turkey has seen a 16% decrease this year, with a whole bird costing around $1.40 per pound, the lowest price in five years. Shoppers in the region are also making strategic choices, such as crossing into Montgomery County to avoid the soda tax while stocking up on canned soda. Collectively, these price fluctuations and shopping behaviors reflect both changing market conditions and consumer responses as the holiday season progresses.