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Arkansans can gobble up savings with Thanksgiving meals costing 20% less than last year

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Arkansans can gobble up savings with Thanksgiving meals costing 20% less than last year


With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many Arkansans are asking the question: How much will my Thanksgiving dinner cost?

According to new data from the Arkansas Farm Bureau, your Thanksgiving meal may cost less than it did in 2024.

The Farm Bureau released its findings from its annual Thanksgiving Dinner Survey, and it found that meal prices across the board are lower than it has been since before the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“It’s about a 20% drop from last year. I think we said it was around $71 last year and $56 this year,” Director of Commodity Economics with the Arkansas Farm Bureau, Tyler Oxner, said.

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According to the survey, the total average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for a family of 10 in 2025 is $56.77, which is $5.68 a person. In 2024, the total cost was $71.29, which is $7.13 a person. The pricing decrease is also evident across various items.

“The protein is what we’re seeing the biggest decrease in. We got a 7% decrease in turkeys year over year. About a third of the price of last year’s ham,” states Oxner.

A 16-pound turkey cost $15.13, or $0.94 per pound. In 2025, that same turkey may cost $14.10 and .88 a pound.

The survey also reports that a 4-pound ham cost Arkansans $21 last year. Now it’s costing $14.07, a 34% decrease.

Several classic Thanksgiving sides have also seen a decline in average cost:

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  • -3-pound bag of Sweet Potatoes from $3.03 to $2.40 (21% decrease)
  • -5-pound bag of Russet Potatoes from $2.97 to $2.47 (17% decrease)
  • -12-ounce package of Fresh Cranberries from $1.83 to $1.43 (22% decrease)
  • -16-ounce package of Frozen Green Peas from $1.44 to $1.02 (29% decrease)
  • -16-ounce package of Frozen Green Beans from $1.77 to $1.57 (11% decrease)
  • -9-inch Frozen Pie Shells from $3.29 to $1.94 (41% decrease)
  • -14-ounce package of Cube Stuffing, Herb Seasoning from $3.99 to $2.61 (35% decrease)
  • -12-count package of Dinner Rolls from $4.20 to $1.68 (60% decrease)
  • -30-ounce can of Pumpkin Pie Mix from $4.20 to $3.98 (5% decrease)
  • -1 gallon of Whole Milk from $4.23 to $3.64 (14% decrease)

Some products did not see the same declines. The price of 1 pound of fresh carrots increased by 12%, jumping from $1.04 to $1.16. The price of 1 bunch of fresh celery jumped up by 66%, from $1.05 to $1.74. A 1/2-pint carton of whipping cream also soared by 54%, increasing from $1.92 to $2.96.

Of course, this all depends on where you shop.

“You’re going to see, depending on what grocery store you go to, what promotional deals they have going on at those stores,” says Oxner.

“Arkansas is normally cheaper, and the South in general is normally cheaper than the rest of the United States,” he adds.

These prices not only depend on what retailer you shop at, but what county you shop in.

The survey reports that prices on Thanksgiving meals range from $50.89 in Boone County to $68.36 in Garland County. All of the other counties that the Farm Bureau surveyed came in under $60:

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  • -Hempstead County: $51.27
  • -Faulkner County: $53.58
  • -Craighead County: $55.89
  • -Sevier County: $56.34
  • -Sharp County: $57.48
  • -Carroll County: $58.46
  • -Lonoke County: $58.54

Oxner credits these pricing trends to one group.

“Arkansas families may see lower prices for their traditional Thanksgiving meal, and they just need to know that this is the work of those Arkansas farmers out there that are working tirelessly to provide sustainable food.”

Oxner says that these prices have the potential to continue to decline in the coming years, but that all depends on various factors, such as changing transportation and production costs, as well as if the Avian Influenza becomes a problem again in Arkansas like it was in 2024.



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Arkansas

Acuff scores 29 points to lead No. 18 Arkansas to a 86-75 win over No. 19 Tennessee

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Acuff scores 29 points to lead No. 18 Arkansas to a 86-75 win over No. 19 Tennessee


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including a key 3-pointer with just over two minutes left in the second half, to help No. 18 Arkansas to an 86-75 win over No. 19 Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams on Saturday.

Arkansas (11-3) used a 18-5 run over a 6-minute, 37-second span midway through the second half to turn a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead with 5:40 left. Tennessee shot just 2 for 10 from the field during Arkansas’ run, missing eight shots in a row before finally scoring.

The Volunteers (10-4) took advantage of an Arkansas cold shooting spell — the Razorbacks picked up 12 of their 18 points during the run from the free-throw line — to close within two points with under four minutes to play. Acuff made a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:09 remaining to give the Razorbacks a 79-68 lead.

Tennessee shot 49% from the field and was outscored at the line, going 12 for 23 while Arkansas shot 29 for 33.

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Acuff was the only Arkansas player to shoot better than 50% from the floor, going 9 for 16. The Razorbacks shot 42% overall. Acuff was joined in double-digit scoring by Meleek Thomas, who scored 18 points. Malique Ewin added 12 points and Karter Knox 11.

Amari Evans’ 17 points on 7-for-7 shooting led three Tennessee players in double figures.

Arkansas won its opening SEC game for the first time since the 2020-21 season. The Razorbacks have reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in four of the five seasons since and made two Elite Eight appearances.

Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas (1) shoots over Tennessee defenders Ja’Kobi Gillespie, left, and Felix Okpara, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Fayetteville, Ark. Credit: AP/Michael Woods

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Arkansas: At Ole Miss on Wednesday.

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Tennessee: Hosts Texas on Tuesday.



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Washington County restaurant inspections | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Washington County restaurant inspections | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Violations marked as priority contribute directly to the elimination, prevention or reduction in the hazards associated with foodborne illness. Priority violations include prevention of contamination, cooking, reheating, cooling and handwashing.



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First Day Hikes an annual tradition in Arkansas state parks | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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First Day Hikes an annual tradition in Arkansas state parks | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Sheila Yount

syount@adgnewsroom.com

Sheila Yount is a features editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. An Arkansas native and communications professional with 42 years of experience, she edits and writes for the Style sections with a primary focus on the Saturday home and garden section and the Monday style section, which includes content on outdoor recreation, physical fitness and health, as well as history and other topics.

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