Each Thanksgiving Dinner Requires a National Effort

As friends and family sit down for a Thanksgiving dinner, very few are aware that the feast on their table is a culmination of efforts of farmers from every corner of the United States. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the production of the ingredients that go into a classic Thanksgiving dinner, detailing which states produce the most commodities and the production value of those items. The Market Intel provides context to AFBF’s annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey, which found the average cost of this year’s classic holiday dinner for 10 is $58.08, or about $5.80 per person.

“To give a sense of the geographic diversity involved in producing your meal, we ranked the top three production states for nine Thanksgiving dinner staples: cranberries, celery, sweet potatoes, green beans, pumpkins, green peas, potatoes, carrots and turkey,” the Market Intel states. “A total of 15 different states appeared at least once in these rankings, representing every region of the country. From Massachusetts to California, Wisconsin to Mississippi – farmers across the nation work hard all year to grow the food we gather around and give thanks for on Thanksgiving.”

The turkey, a Thanksgiving staple, represented $6.57 billion in production value in 2023. Minnesota and North Carolina raise more turkeys than any other states, combining for 30% of national production. Potatoes had a production value of $5.4 billion in 2023. Not surprisingly, Idaho led in production at 32%, followed by Washington at 23%. California leads the nation in growing carrots, representing a whopping 73% of the nation’s production. Carrot growth in all states combined for $1.8 billion in production value in 2023.

“It really is awe-inspiring that America’s farmers are able to grow such a diverse range of food,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Each item on the Thanksgiving dinner table represents a different farmer from across the nation, each dedicated to ensuring America’s food supply remains strong.

“America also has one of the most affordable food supplies in the world, thanks in part, to strong farm bill programs that provide much needed certainty to farmers in every state. Unfortunately, this critically-important legislation currently remains in limbo, as Congress continues to kick the can down the road. We urge lawmakers to pass a modernized farm bill with safety nets to support the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on.”

Farming is a difficult industry with tight profit margins. The Market Intel notes rising labor costs, and the impact inflation is having on supplies like machinery, fertilizer and pest protection products. Despite these increasing costs of farming, this is the second year in a row that the Thanksgiving dinner is estimated to have declined in price.

Read the full Market Intel here.

Read the Thanksgiving dinner cost survey Market Intel here.

Learn more about the farm bill here.