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Although the cost of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner has increased this year, consumers can still enjoy a wholesome, home-cooked meal for less than $5 per person, says Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke. That is less than a typical fast-food combo, even before it's super-sized. That's an amazing deal!

The traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings will cost $44.61 for a family of 10 this year, up from last year's average of $42.26, Dierschke said. Most of the price increase is energy-related and more specifically because of turkey and dairy production, he said.

"Oil and commodity prices reached record highs earlier this year," said Dierschke, a San Angelo grain and cotton farmer. "They have since taken a steep dive and are half of what they were. While I'm sure we've all felt the welcome relief offered at the gas pumps lately, most of us are still waiting for similar relief in our grocery bills."

He said the price of groceries has not meant greater returns for farmers. In fact, current market prices for many staple commodities have actually fallen to less than farmers earned for the same products last year.

For the first time in 15 years, I did not attend the annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in Kansas City, Mo., in mid-November to interview American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. Besides all the issues discussed at the NAFB Trade Talks conference, Stallman, a South Texas cattle and rice producer, traditionally releases the Thanksgiving menu survey.

So, my resources for the 23rd annual informal price survey has come by e-mail from the AFBF office and a visit with Dierschke, who lives a few blocks from my San Angelo office.

The cost of a 16-pound turkey, at $19.09 or roughly $1.19 per pound, reflects an increase of 9 cents per pound, or a total of $1.46 per turkey compared with 2007. This is the largest contributor to the overall increase in the cost of this year's Thanksgiving dinner, according to the Washington, D.C.-based American Farm Bureau Federation.

"Food prices rode the energy-price roller coaster up during the first half of 2008, and as the year winds down, energy prices have moderated somewhat but food prices have not come down," said AFBF economist Jim Sartwelle. "Despite that, the components of this classic Thanksgiving dinner cost less compared with 1988 when the effects of inflation are removed. Even at these slightly higher prices, the cost per person for this special meal remains lower than what Americans pay for most 'value meals' at fast-food outlets."

Sartwelle said other items showing a price increase this year include: a 12-ounce package of brown-n-serve rolls, $2.20; a 12-ounce package of fresh cranberries, $2.46; a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.34; two 9-inch pie shells, $2.26; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.57; a relish tray of carrots and celery, 82 cents; a half-pint of whipping cream, $1.70; a pound of green peas, $1.58; and three pounds of sweet potatoes, $3.12.

A combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter) dropped in price by 60 cents to $2.69. A gallon of whole milk dropped 10 cents to $3.78.

Sartwelle said American consumers have enjoyed stable food costs over the years, particularly when the inflation adjustment is figured into the equation. This year's average cost of $44.61 is equivalent to $20.65 in 20-year inflation-adusted dollars. The real dollar cost of the Thanksgiving dinner has declined more than 8 percent since 1988.

A total of 179 volunteer shoppers from 38 states participated in this year's survey. The menu items remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons, Sartwelle said.

Jerry Lackey writes about agriculture. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net or (325) 949-2291.