Digging into Dinner: The Price of Thanksgiving in 1990

The big question on everyone’s mind, transported back to the era of shoulder pads and dial-up internet: How much did Thanksgiving dinner cost in 1990? The answer, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), is approximately $28.64. This figure represents the average cost of a classic Thanksgiving feast for a family of ten. But, of course, the devil is in the details, and the true cost is more nuanced than just a single number. Let’s carve into the specifics.

Understanding the 1990 Thanksgiving Price Tag

That $28.64 figure isn’t just plucked from thin air. The AFBF conducts an annual Thanksgiving cost survey, and 1990 was one of the earlier years they diligently tracked the prices of essential Thanksgiving ingredients. This survey considers a typical Thanksgiving menu, including:

• Turkey (16 pounds): The undisputed centerpiece, and often the most significant cost driver.
• Cranberry Sauce (1 pound): A sweet and tart complement to the meal.
• Sweet Potatoes (3 pounds): A Thanksgiving staple, often candied or mashed.
• Pumpkin Pie Mix: No Thanksgiving is complete without pumpkin pie.
• Rolls (1 dozen): To soak up all that gravy!
• Peas (1 pound): A simple, green addition to the plate.
• Stuffing: The carb-loaded companion to the turkey.
• Milk (1 gallon): To wash it all down.
• Fresh Relishes: Providing a crisp contrast to the richer dishes.

This list represents a pretty standard Thanksgiving menu, but keep in mind that individual families might have added or subtracted items based on their traditions and preferences, directly influencing their overall cost.

Factors Influencing the Price

Several factors contributed to the price of Thanksgiving dinner in 1990:

• Agricultural Production: Weather patterns, crop yields, and livestock health all played a role in the supply and demand of key ingredients. Favorable growing seasons could lead to lower prices, while droughts or disease outbreaks could drive them up.
• Transportation Costs: Getting the ingredients from the farm to the grocery store involved transportation, and the price of fuel affected those costs.
• Retail Markups: Grocers added their own markups to cover their operating expenses and generate profit. Competition among retailers could influence these markups.
• Inflation: While the overall inflation rate in 1990 was relatively moderate (around 5.4%), it still played a role in the price of goods and services, including Thanksgiving dinner ingredients.
• Regional Variations: The cost of living and transportation costs varied across the United States, meaning Thanksgiving dinner could have been more expensive in some regions than others. For example, families living in urban areas or areas with higher transportation costs likely paid more.

Putting $28.64 in Perspective

While $28.64 might seem incredibly cheap by today’s standards, it’s essential to consider the context of 1990. The average hourly wage in the US was significantly lower then, so even though the dollar amount was smaller, it still represented a considerable portion of a family’s budget.

To illustrate this point, imagine a family where one parent earned the average hourly wage. A $28.64 Thanksgiving dinner would have represented a larger percentage of their weekly income than it does today, even though the nominal cost of Thanksgiving dinner is higher now.

FAQs: Your Thanksgiving 1990 Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further explore the price of Thanksgiving in 1990:

1. How does the 1990 Thanksgiving cost compare to today’s costs?

Thanksgiving dinner has become significantly more expensive in the intervening years, due primarily to inflation and fluctuating commodity prices. The same basket of goods that cost $28.64 in 1990 would cost considerably more today. Recent AFBF surveys show the price exceeding $60, and in some years even reaching over $70, for a similar feast.

2. Was turkey the most expensive item in 1990?

Yes, the turkey was undoubtedly the most significant cost driver. As the centerpiece of the meal, its price heavily influenced the overall cost of Thanksgiving dinner. Price fluctuations in turkey were directly reflected in the total cost.

3. Did the AFBF survey include alcohol in its price calculations?

No, the AFBF survey focuses solely on the cost of food items typically included in a Thanksgiving dinner. Alcohol, appetizers, and desserts beyond pumpkin pie are typically not included.

4. How did couponing and sales affect the actual cost of Thanksgiving in 1990?

Savvy shoppers could significantly reduce the cost of Thanksgiving dinner through couponing, sales, and store promotions. Many grocery stores offered loss leaders (selling items at a loss to attract customers) on Thanksgiving staples like turkey, which helped families save money. Strategic planning and taking advantage of deals could substantially lower the final bill.

5. Were there any regional differences in Thanksgiving prices in 1990?

Yes, regional differences existed due to variations in transportation costs, local taxes, and consumer demand. Thanksgiving dinners in densely populated urban areas or regions with higher transportation costs were generally more expensive.

6. How did the availability of frozen versus fresh turkeys impact the price?

Frozen turkeys were generally more affordable than fresh turkeys in 1990. Families on a tight budget often opted for frozen turkeys to save money. Fresh turkeys were perceived as higher quality and were typically more expensive.

7. Did the size of the turkey influence the overall cost of the meal?

Absolutely. The size of the turkey directly impacted its price. Larger families naturally required larger turkeys, which increased the overall cost of Thanksgiving dinner.

8. What role did private label or generic brands play in reducing Thanksgiving costs in 1990?

Private label (store) brands and generic brands were significantly cheaper than name-brand products. Families looking to save money often chose these alternative brands for items like cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, and pie filling.

9. Were vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving options common in 1990, and how did they affect costs?

While vegetarian options existed in 1990, they were not as prevalent as they are today. If a family opted for a vegetarian Thanksgiving, the costs could vary depending on the substitute ingredients. Tofu roasts or vegetable-based entrees could be either more or less expensive than a traditional turkey, depending on the specific ingredients used. Vegan options were even less common.

10. How did the economic climate of 1990 influence Thanksgiving spending habits?

The economic climate always plays a role in consumer spending. In 1990, the US economy was experiencing moderate growth, but some families still faced financial challenges. This meant that many families were mindful of their spending and looked for ways to save money on Thanksgiving dinner, such as shopping for sales, using coupons, and opting for cheaper ingredients.

11. What alternative meats were considered for Thanksgiving in 1990 besides Turkey?

Although Turkey has always been the most traditional choice for Thanksgiving main entree, some families did consider alternative meats such as Ham, Roast Beef, Duck, or Chicken, though not common, based on budget, preferences, or geographic availability. This was far more common for smaller gatherings or budget-conscious celebrations.

12. Was homemade always cheaper than store-bought ingredients for the side dishes?

Whether homemade side dishes were cheaper than store-bought options in 1990 depended on several factors, including the specific dish, the availability of ingredients, and the shopper’s culinary skills. For example, making stuffing from scratch could be more affordable than buying a pre-made mix, provided the cook had access to inexpensive bread and other ingredients. On the other hand, purchasing canned cranberry sauce could be cheaper than making it from fresh cranberries, particularly if cranberries were out of season or difficult to find locally.