Food prices are up, but your Thanksgiving feast will cost less this year – CBS News

Analysis of 2025 Thanksgiving Meal Affordability and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Economic Trends and Food Security

Amidst persistent U.S. inflation impacting overall grocery prices, a 2025 analysis reveals a notable decrease in the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. This trend directly supports key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty), by enhancing food affordability and accessibility for households. Projections indicate a 2% to 3% reduction in spending for the holiday meal, providing financial relief to consumers and ensuring broader participation in cultural traditions, which aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Detailed Cost Analysis and Contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

The primary driver of the cost reduction is that inflationary pressures are concentrated in food items not central to a traditional Thanksgiving menu, such as beef and eggs. This market condition ensures that the cost of essential holiday staples remains stable or declines, a crucial factor for achieving food security as outlined in SDG 2. The estimated cost for a meal serving ten people is:

• Store-brand ingredients: Approximately $80.00
• Name-brand ingredients: Approximately $95.00

This pricing structure, translating to between $8.00 and $9.50 per person, makes a nutritious holiday meal more attainable, contributing to the well-being of families and communities, a core tenet of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Price Reductions in Key Food Categories

Specific price decreases across staple Thanksgiving items underscore the trend toward affordability. These market adjustments reflect shifts in production, demand, and competition, which are relevant to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The following price changes have been reported:

• Turkeys: Retail prices are down 3.7% from the previous year.
• Name-brand frozen vegetables: Prices have decreased by 15% due to strong competition from private-label alternatives.
• Private-brand dinner rolls: A significant 22% price decline, attributed to falling consumer demand for bread products.
• Stuffing, prepared gravy mix, and fresh cranberries: Prices have dipped between 3% and 4%.
• National brand pumpkin pies: Costs have fallen by 3%.

A minor price increase was noted for whipping cream, which has risen by 3%.

Retailer Initiatives Supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Major retail corporations have launched initiatives that further support the goal of an affordable holiday meal, directly addressing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by providing low-cost, comprehensive meal solutions.

1. Walmart

   The retailer is offering a holiday dinner package priced at under $4.00 per person. This is a reduction from its $7.00 per person deal in 2024. The 2025 bundle includes 23 items, a modification from the 29 items offered previously. Adjustments include:

   • One can of cream of mushroom soup, reduced from two.
   • Omission of fresh onions, celery, and corn muffin mix.

2. Aldi

   This grocery chain is offering a competing Thanksgiving meal deal, also priced at approximately $4.00 per person.

3. Target

   Target has introduced a holiday dinner bundle for approximately $5.00 per person.

These corporate strategies demonstrate a commitment to price accessibility, ensuring that families across different economic strata can afford to celebrate the holiday, thereby reducing social and economic disparities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article’s central theme is the cost and affordability of food, specifically a Thanksgiving meal. This directly relates to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to food for all. The discussion revolves around food prices, consumer spending on groceries, and efforts by retailers to provide affordable meal options, which are all critical components of food security.

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • While not discussing extreme poverty, the article touches upon the economic strain faced by consumers due to inflation. It highlights that “stubborn U.S. inflation continues to drive grocery prices higher” and that “more than two-thirds [of shoppers] saying they’re bracing for a pricier Thanksgiving grocery bill.” This concern over the affordability of a basic need like a holiday meal connects to the broader goal of reducing economic vulnerability and ensuring people can afford necessities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

   • The article directly addresses the “access” component of this target by focusing on the economic accessibility of food. The analysis of the cost of a Thanksgiving meal, with specific price points like “$8 and $9.50 per person” and retailers offering deals for “$4 per person,” is a clear examination of whether consumers can afford a sufficient meal.

2. Target 2.c: Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets… in order to help limit extreme food price volatility.

   • The article discusses food price volatility by contrasting the overall rise in grocery prices (“Grocery prices overall rose 2.7% in September”) with the price decrease for specific Thanksgiving items. It references a Wells Fargo analysis of the food market and the competitive actions of retailers like Walmart, Aldi, and Target, which are market-based responses to price trends and consumer demand.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 2.c: (Proxy) Food Price Index

   • The article explicitly mentions the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as a measure of food inflation: “Grocery prices overall rose 2.7% in September from a year ago, according to the latest Consumer Price Index.” This is a direct indicator used to measure food price changes and volatility.

2. Indicators for Target 2.1: (Proxy) Food Affordability Metrics

   • The article provides several data points that serve as proxy indicators for food affordability:
     • Cost of a meal: The article quantifies the cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people at “$80” for store brands and “$95” for name brands, or “$8 and $9.50 per person.”
     • Specific food item price changes: The article lists specific price fluctuations that measure affordability of individual components, such as “Retail prices for turkeys are down 3.7% from a year ago” and “Name-brand frozen vegetables are down 15% in price.”
     • Consumer sentiment on affordability: The mention that “more than two-thirds saying they’re bracing for a pricier Thanksgiving grocery bill” acts as an indicator of public perception regarding food affordability.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com