Report: High energy prices lead to increase in Thanksgiving cost for third year

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Before we prep up the stoves and ovens for Thanksgiving food, we first need to prep our wallets.

For the 3rd straight year, prices for a Thanksgiving feast have increased, according to a report from Consumer Energy Alliance.

All typical staples of the holiday are continuing to be more expensive.

The price of ham has increased by 5% compared to this time last year.

Canned green beans and sweet potatoes are up 9 and 4 % respectively.

The price for tasty side dishes are suffering even more.

Pumpkin items such as canned pumpkins have increased in price by 30%.

Canned cranberries are up by an astonishing 60%.

Experts say this all goes back to the current inflation happening in the energy industry.

"When you have high gasoline diesel prices, your cost to farm goes up. So therefore the cost of produce crops goes up. And when you're delivering all of these items to the grocery store by truck trucks drive on diesel. And when diesel prices are going up, the price of every commodity, everything in the grocery store goes up," said David Holt of Consumer Energy Alliance.

According to Consumer Energy Alliance’s 2023 Food and Energy Report, a family a four will pay about $15,000 in food.

This is nearly a $2,000 increase from just two years ago.