Cost of Turkey, Fixings Nudge Higher This Year

The American Farm Bureau says the cost of the ingredients that make up an average Thanksgiving dinner went up a little more than a half dollar this year, to $43.47.

Farm Bureau economist John Anderson says the biggest increases in the annual survey were for milk and cream while the price of a 16 pound turkey actually fell 99 cents.

More than 100 volunteer shoppers in 34 states took part in this year's survey. They bought the same items: the turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie mix and pie shells, milk, whipped cream and coffee.

Anderson says, since the survey contains basic ingredients, the costs will be higher for shoppers who buy finished products, such as pie.