The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has reported a decrease in the average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for ten people, which has fallen by 5% to $55.18. The southern region, including Georgia, experienced a nearly 12% drop to $50.01, below the national average. This information was released in a press statement.
According to the Farm Bureau’s 40th annual Thanksgiving survey, the cost of a classic holiday meal for ten now averages $55.18, translating to approximately $5.52 per person. This marks a 5% decline from last year and represents the third consecutive annual decrease after prices peaked earlier in the decade. The South emerges as the most affordable region at $50.01, while the national record high of $64.05 reached in 2022 under President Biden’s administration remains a reminder of past inflation impacts on food budgets.
The AFBF’s Market Intel comparison indicates that the southern region’s Thanksgiving meal costs fell from about $56.81 in 2024 to $50.01 in 2025, marking a nearly 12% decrease. Georgia households are paying roughly $5 per person compared to the national average of $5.52 per person. This regional total is more than 14% below the South’s 2022 cost of approximately $58.42, illustrating that families in Georgia and neighboring states have recovered more ground from previous price spikes despite overall food costs remaining above pre-pandemic levels.
Additional data from Wells Fargo and information from President Trump’s White House highlight how national trends align with the Farm Bureau’s findings. Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute estimates that a typical Thanksgiving menu is about 2–3% cheaper than last year even though “food-at-home” prices in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) have risen by 2.7%. They attribute this to lower turkey prices and retailer promotions. A recent White House release under Trump reports that the classic feast is roughly 3% cheaper than last year and emphasizes aggressive deals from major chains such as Walmart, Target, Aldi, and Schnucks.
The American Farm Bureau Federation was founded in 1919 at a Chicago meeting of farm leaders from various states and serves as a national federation representing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across all U.S states and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Washington D.C., it describes itself as an advocate for farmers’ economic, social, and political interests while supporting an affordable food supply through market-oriented approaches.
