TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — With Thanksgiving less than a week away and other holidays quickly approaching, some shoppers may have to adjust to prices increasing for several goods.
The Indiana Farm Bureau’s Market Basket Survey indicates Hoosiers can expect to spend 12% more this year on Thanksgiving food in grocery stores compared to 2020.
The pricing survey said the individual meal price is approximately $5.36 in the state of Indiana, three cents higher of the U.S. average of $5.33.
“Coming off the heels of the pandemic, widespread supply chain issues are pushing prices higher and the economy is stretched,” Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd Vice President said. “This year’s Thanksgiving market basket reflects what Hoosiers are seeing when they go to their grocery stores.”
Inflation, supply chain issues and an increase in food consumed at home are all contributors to a price increase, according to the survey.
Terre Haute resident Cindi Smith said she has had difficulty finding her favorite items on the shelves of local stores.
“It’s concerning knowing that we have so much in the area that can’t afford food at the price it is,” she said. “In a perfect world it’d be nice to have everything we like. If we can’t find something we like, we’ll switch the menu up.”
Research gathered by GasBuddy indicates significantly fewer people may be traveling during the holidays due to gas prices.
“It is concerning. For the most part, I don’t worry about it, but the prices are concerning because it’s getting more expensive to fill up,” Indiana resident Jacob Cree said.
Although gas is decreasing in price, the national average of nearly $3.40 per gallon is still higher compared to previous years. Cree said the increase makes it difficult to travel 200 plus miles to see his loved ones.
“I don’t have that much money so with the rising gas prices, I have to fill my truck,” he said. “I have to get gas to get places. It’s concerning because it is going to get expensive to drive.”
The full Market Basket results can be found on this link.