Carroll County Farm Bureau

By Chastity Welch, Farm Bureau Manager

Each year the American Farm Bureau Federation comes out with their annual informal price survey of the classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. This year’s survey indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.48, a 28-cent price increase from last year’s average of $49.20. “At just under $5 per person, the cost of this year’s meal remains a bargain,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle producer from Texas. “Our diverse farm and ranch families are honored to produce the food from our nation’s land for family Thanksgiving celebrations.”

The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers. The big ticket item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at $22.23 this year. That was roughly $1.39 per pound, an increase of about 4 cents per pound, or a total of 66 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2011. The whole bird was the biggest contributor to the final total, showing the largest price increase compared to last year.

The slight percentage increase in the national average cost reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the organization’s 2012 quarterly marketbasket surveys and the government’s Consumer Price Index for food (available online at http://data.bls.gov/).

Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey. Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages. Another option for busy families without a lot of time to cook is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10 people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets and take-out restaurants for around $50 to $75.

I know I have mentioned before how it used to be winter was the Farm Bureau’s busy season and now it is summer. I decided to have take some time off in the month of November before the holidays hit. As you are reading this, I am actually in Chicago with my family. We decided to get a way for a few days. I will probably have stories to tell when we get back as we are staying right on the parade route for the Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade. Hopefully those stories don’t involve road rage trying to get out of the city.

I can say I am not a huge parade fan. I guess I need more interaction than a parade involves, so I am better off being in the parade. However, I didn’t realize we were on the route till after we decided to get away. While the Chicago Thanksgiving parade doesn’t qualify as a typical holiday parade, I am actually looking forward to it. I am more curious to find out how early I need to be outside to see it.

Our office is closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. I mentioned last week that if you are looking for appointments for the free family portraits, please leave a message on our answering machine and I will be sure to get back with you first thing Saturday morning when we come in for pictures. Chances are we will be able to squeeze you in. We hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Farm Bureau Classifieds

Carroll County Farm Bureau members can place up to two (2) free classified ads per week, with a limit of 250 characters per ad (not including spaces). Ads are limited to personal or farm items for sale/wanted to buy, or farm labor or services available or wanted. No ads for the sale or rental of real estate, garage sales, or commercial businesses will be accepted. To place an ad, call the Farm Bureau office at 815- 244-3001 by noon Friday to get your ad in the following week’s paper.

FS: 2012 Dixie Chopper Silver Eagle 2760 12hrs. 2002 883 Sportster 10,900 miles. 815-684-5497

FOUND: Tri-Colored Walker Coon Hound Female. 815-994-2396

FS: 1986 Suzuki Intruder V-Twin 700CC 14,000 miles in excellent condition. 815-535-4069

FS: HP 4300 series printer/fax/scanner/copier for $5.  Full size computer keyboard for $5.  Nokia mini speakers with a set of Magnovox earbuds for $5. Staples computer hub $5. Lanark cell 815-238-2158

FS: Happy Hens Healthy Eggs, chicken and duck eggs. 815-275-2806