exas grocery shoppers getting ready for a traditional Turkey Day feast will need a bit over three $10 bills to buy the fixings, according to the first ever Thanksgiving Day installment of the Texas Farm Bureau Grocery Price Watch.
The average price for the 16 basic items on the list, according to the informal survey of local grocery store prices, rang in at $31.99.
"This being our first year to launch the Grocery Price Watch surveys, we have no comparison to offer on how this year’s prices might compare to those before," said Kenneth Dierschke, president of the state’s largest farm organization. "These prices will, however, serve as benchmark for future Thanksgiving Day comparisons."
Twenty-four volunteer shoppers from across the Lone Star State participated in the Thanksgiving Day Grocery Price Watch survey, all searching their local grocery stores for staple items of a Texas-style Thanksgiving Day dinner.
The prices were based on purchases made during the week of Nov. 8-14.
Depending on where families did their shopping in Texas, prices were all over the board for these 16 basics, with price spreads ranging from $1 to nearly $6 depending on the items.
Ringing in highest on the price sale, on a per pound basis, were packages of shelled pecan halves, which average $5.35 in Texas. Shoppers paid as little as $2.29 in some places, while others forked over as much as $8 a pound.
Turkey and ham, on most budgets, will be the costliest purchases for Thanksgiving. Per pound averages came in at $1.10 for turkey and $1.67 for ham, though price spreads between the highest price paid in Texas and the lowest were significant—$1.77 for turkey and $2.27 for ham.
"Carry those numbers over for how much a whole turkey or ham will actually weigh, and you will be looking at some major cost differences," Dierschke noted. "Still, the average Texas shopper is paying a lot less than shoppers in other parts of the country."
The American Farm Bureau Federation since 1986 has conducted a national price analysis of several Thanksgiving Day items. Although their list differs somewhat from the Texas items, shoppers in other parts of the country will be paying $1.16 a pound for their turkey.
All of the items on AFBF’s list will cost $42.91, on average, this year, which represents a roughly $2 savings from last year’s numbers. The primary difference in the two surveys, Dierschke explained, is that many of the products on the Texas list include items produced by farmers and ranchers right here in the Lone Star State.
Other Texas list items, along with their price averages, include: sweet potatoes, 86 cents per pound; cream of mushroom soup, $1.09 a can; French-fried onions, $2.08 per can; cranberry sauce, 96 cents per can; herb-seasoned cube stuffing, $2.30 a box; light brown sugar, $1.06 a bag; whipping cream, $1.31 per half-pint container; whole milk, $3.69 per gallon; large eggs, $1.50 per dozen; unsalted butter, $3.12 per four-stick package; brown and serve rolls, $2.31 per 12-pack; frozen green beans, $1.57 per one-pound bag; and frozen nine-inch pie shells, $2.08 per package.
"It is our sincere hope that as your family gathers around the Thanksgiving Day table, you remember the many men and women in this fine state who work each day to make sure we all enjoy an abundance of safe and delicious food for our families," Dierschke said. "Their dedication and commitment makes such occasions possible, and we couldn’t thank them enough for all they do."
Grow Texas Foundation scholarships deadline Nov. 30
The deadline is fast approaching for Texas college students wanting to latch on to one of five $2,000 scholarships from the Grow Texas Foundation.
Deadline to apply, as well as submit two letters of recommendation—one of which must come from someone actively engaged in the Texas agriculture industry—is Nov. 30.
They are offered through the Grow Texas Foundation, which was established to increase educational opportunities for individuals committed to advancing the Texas agriculture industry.
In accordance with this mission, the Foundation assists in supporting students who are enrolled in a Texas institution of higher education and who demonstrate a commitment to promoting the agriculture industry upon graduation, through both traditional and diversified career choices that may affect agriculture.
The Foundation will announce awards by Dec. 11.
Awards may be used to fund expenditures made during the Fall 2009 semester, as the Foundation prefers to reimburse tuition expenses.
Contact Kelley Stripling at kestripling@yahoo.com with any questions regarding the Grow Texas scholarships, as well as application procedures.
AFBF pleased with Senate delay of climate legislation
AFBF President Bob Stallman applauded the decision by Senate leaders to delay consideration of climate change legislation until the spring of 2010.
"This move offers a great opportunity for lawmakers to go back to the drawing board and reassess the need for this legislation and the impact it will have on all Americans," Stallman said.
Legislation previously approved by the House would impose higher energy and food costs on consumers, Stallman added. The bills also would create an energy deficit due to limited alternatives.
"The timing for this announcement by Senate leaders could not be better," he said. "We now know there will be no international agreement resulting from the upcoming meeting in Copenhagen. Furthermore, they would have no significant impact on the global climate. These bills represent all pain and no gain for our nation and American agriculture and now the Senate has a chance to correct that error."
For the Price of Admission
Atascosa CFB members recently held their 67th annual county convention, charging a canned good as admittance to all who came. Donations were then presented to Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) to help the local needy. A total of 193 people attended. Pictured are Max Stracbein with CAM, the Rev. Junior Jones with CAM, and Atascosa CFB board members Lloyd House and Walter Stevens.