LITTLE ROCK — It will cost families a little less to prepare the traditional holiday meal this year, due in large part to a sharp drop in milk and dairy prices. According to Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual survey, it will cost a family of 10, on average, $40.75, or just over $4 per person. That’s down slightly from last year’s average of $40.97.

“With this year’s sluggish economy, consumers are proving to be more frugal with their food purchases,” says Travis Justice, Arkansas Farm Bureau chief economist. “These results show that overall food price inflation has taken a holiday, at least for this Thanksgiving season.”

According to the survey, the average cost of a gallon of whole milk dropped 60 cents, from $3.77 to $3.17. Justice says milk and dairy products have been depressed this year due to the loss of “several key foreign customers” which resulted in a glut of milk on the domestic market.

Conversely, turkey prices rose once again. The average price of a 16-pound young tom turkey is $16.58 or $1.04 per pound, up from 95 cents per pound in 2008 and 89 cents per pound two years ago. However, that’s still lower than the national average of $1.16 per pound.

Arkansas shoppers can take heart in knowing food prices here remain more affordable than elsewhere in the U.S. American Farm Bureau’s national survey revealed an average cost of $42.91 to prepare the meal. That’s down 4 percent, or a decrease of $1.70 from 2008. Justice says another factor in the drop in the cost of the meal is that fuel and transportation costs are significantly lower than a year ago.

“Food prices today generally reflect the cost of packaging, processing and distribution,” says Justice. “Tighter domestic supplies of turkey, foreign demand and adverse weather all impacted the price of some items in the meal.”

More than 200 shoppers in 35 states participated in the national survey. The Arkansas survey is based on responses from 10 members of the Farm Bureau women’s committee who surveyed food prices at supermarkets across the state.

Randy Veach of Manila, Arkansas Farm Bureau president, says American farmers and ranchers do what they can to hold down production costs. Their efficiency is a major reason U.S. consumers enjoy the world’s most affordable food supply. 

“Arkansas farmers have had a difficult time harvesting this year’s crops,” says Veach, “due to persistent rainfall which flooded fields in September and October.

“But they are resilient and the most productive in the world. We should all give thanks this Thanksgiving for the fact we continue to have such an abundant food supply. Enough that we are able to share that bounty and provide meals for those who are less fortunate.”

Volunteer shoppers were asked to report the “best in-store price” of 12 items included in the traditional meal. They are allowed to take advantage of advertised specials, excluding discount coupons and purchase requirements. Average prices for the meal ranged from a high of $46.19 in Fayetteville, to $35.21 in Clinton.

In addition to turkey, other items increasing in price were pumpkin pie mix at $2.36 for a 30-oz can, up 20 cents; pie shells at $1.98 for two, up from $1.79; a package of brown and serve rolls at $1.80, up from $1.74 and frozen green peas at $1.50, up from $1.44.

Other items in the meal that decreased in price included cubed stuffing mix at $2.28, down from $2.60; three pounds of sweet potatoes at 83 cents per pound, down from 85 cents; a pound of carrots at $1.01 down from $1.19; a bunch of celery at $1.35, down from $1.59; a 12-oz package of cranberries at $2.44, down from $2.56 and a carton of whipping cream at $1.29, down from $1.66.

The survey period was Oct. 31–Nov. 9. Arkansas Farm Bureau has participated each year since the survey was established in 1986, with the menu items remaining unchanged to allow consistent price comparisons. Though unscientific, it is intended to be a gauge of actual price trends across Arkansas and the nation.