ARKANSAS (KFSM) -- The Arkansas Farm Bureau said the average cost in the Natural State for a Thanksgiving meal is around $45, which is 5 bucks below the national average.
We did a little shopping of our own at Harps on Jones Road in Springdale to see if we could stay under the budget. Store manager Sean Harp took us through the store to help us shop for our Thanksgiving meal to compare the state's average prices to what we found in the store.
We came out with our entire meal for about $4 under the state average and even splurged on some name brand items.
The Arkansas Farm Bureau survey is listed below:
2016 Thanksgiving Dinner Survey Items and Avg. Prices
| 2016 | 2015 | 2003 | |
| 16 lb. Young Tom Turkey | $16.12 (1.01/lb)* | $17.40 (1.09/lb) | 11.27(.70 / lb) |
| Cubed Stuffing (Herb Seasoning) | 2.68 | 2.53 | 1.95 |
| Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Mix (30 oz) | 2.99 | 2.89 | 1.90 |
| 9” Frozen Pie Shells (2) | 2.14 | 2.11 | 1.64 |
| Sweet Potatoes (3 lbs) | 3.47(1.16/lb) | 2.71(.90/lb) | 1.87 |
| Brown & Serve Rolls (12 count) | 2.35 | 1.89 | .91 |
| Frozen Green Peas (16 oz pkg) | 1.50 | 1.33 | 1.23 |
| Fresh Carrots (lb) | .96 * | 1.23 | .68 |
| Fresh Celery (bunch) | 1.54 * | 1.61 | .93 |
| Whole Milk (gal) | 3.22 * | 4.05 | 2.90 |
| Fresh Cranberries (12 oz pkg) | 2.72 | 2.34 | 1.90 |
| Whipping Cream (1/2 pint carton) | 2.34 | 1.99 | 1.21 |
| **Miscellaneous | 2.81 * | 3.18 | 2.71 |
**Miscellaneous category includes coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal such as sugar, eggs, butter and flour. This average price is determined by American Farm Bureau and is a consistent figure to be used in the national survey.
Overall Statewide Average:
2016-- $44.84
2015-- $45.25
2014-- $46.23
Individual Surveys:
| Hot Springs | $ 40.62 |
| Bentonville | $ 41.30 |
| Russellville | $ 41.68 |
| Monticello | $ 42.91 |
| Nashville | $ 44.24 |
| Jonesboro | $ 46.85 |
| Lake Village | $ 47.16 |
| North Little Rock | $ 49.23 |
| Waldron | $ 49.58 |