Cost of Thanksgiving dinner 1.3 percent higher this year

Ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner to serve a family of 10 cost 56 cents more this year than last, according to the American Farm Bureau's annual survey.

The survey released this month shows that a family of 10 would pay $43.47 on average to buy a 16-pound turkey, pumpkin pie, and all of the basic trimmings.

Cost increases contributing to the higher overall ticket were a 38-cent increase in the cost of a gallon of whole milk, to $3.22 per gallon, a 72-cent increase in miscellaneous ingredients, and a 17-cent increase in the cost of a 30-ounce container of pumpkin pie mix.

The price of a 16-pound turkey fell by 99 cents to $17.66, helping offset the increases.

Even though the price is up from last year, it's still lower than it was two years ago when commodity prices peaked.

Consumers might be able to get a better deal if they shop around. The Farm Bureau volunteers who did the research were asked to look for the best prices they could find without taking advantage of special coupons or promotional deals.

Don't cook?

The Farm Bureau Federation said the cost of ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals available t supermarkets and some take-out restaurants range from about $5 to $7.50 per person.