Thanksgiving dinner gobbles up more cash

Higher prices for livestock and energy are the big reasons the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 rose 5.4 percent from last year to $40.74, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation said.

The meal's main course, turkey, averages 9 cents per pound more this year than last, the agency found in its annual informal survey of grocery stores statewide.

At $1.14 a pound, the turkey price is the nonsale price, said Sherri McKinney who oversees the survey for Farm Bureau. On sale, turkey can be bought for as low as 28 cents per pound, she said.

The traditional meal consists of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

In Virginia, Charlottesville-area residents will pay the most for their meal, $49.92, and those living near Wytheville will pay the least, $30.69, according to the survey.

A Mechanicsville Food Lion was the store surveyed in the Richmond area. The average cost of ingredients was $39.83.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is urging consumers to "Think Green" this Thanksgiving. By buying locally produced ingredients, you can help save the energy used to transport food to the market and obtain the freshest food at the same time.

That should not be difficult. Virginia is the fourth-largest turkey-producing state in the country.

The state ranks ninth in sweet-potato production. And the meal could be topped off with a bottle from one of the state's 120 wineries.

To buy local, look for Virginia brands or labels, including the Virginia's Finest designation.

In the Charlottesville area, the Piedmont Environmental Council and the University of Virginia's Institute for Environmental Negotiation have partnered to produce a guide to buying local food products.

The guide is online at buylocalcville.org.

Tips for a healthy holiday
Much of what you hear about weight gain in the holidays is a myth, but you don't have to toss out your healthy eating habits with the turkey neck to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal.

Just make a few minor changes to cut back on fat and salt intake and add more vegetables and whole grains to your meal, advised a University of Michigan dietitian, Kathy Goldberg, who suggested:

Slow down. Enjoy your friends and family and the flavors and textures of food.

Don't skip other Thanksgiving Day meals. Eat breakfast and a light lunch and drink lots of water throughout the day to help prevent overeating during the day's main event.

Don't cook stuffing in the turkey. It takes moisture from the bird and can be dangerous if undercooked.

Avoid the turkey skin. It contains most of the bird's fat.

Eat a low-fat dessert. Have a slice of pumpkin pie, which is low in fat and high in the anti-oxidant beta carotene, but leave some of the crust on the plate.