Thanksgiving Profiteering: Consumers Gouged. Farmers Ripped Off.

By Jim Hightower

Photos: Jim Hightower\

Most of us have noticed that the basic Thanksgiving Dinner has become a much pricier spread this year. Yet, while supermarket prices are up, few Americans realized the shockingly low prices that food monopolies are paying for each item on the table

Here’s an itemization that the National Farmers Union just released, showing typical prices paid by us consumers, contrasted to the price farmers receive:

  • BUTTERBALL TURKEY: Consumers pay $2.42 per pound. Farmers get: 6 cents per pound.
  • FRESH CRANBERRIES: Consumers pay $2.99 for 12 oz package. Farmers get: 86 cents.
  • BONELESS HAM: Consumers pay $15.98 for 2 pounds. Farmers get: $1.28.
  • SWEET CORN: Consumers pay $2.99 for 16 oz. Farmers get: 34 cents.
  • DINNER ROLLS: Consumers pay $3.99 for 18 oz package. Farmers get: 10 cents.
  • GREEN BEANS: Consumers pay $5 for 20 oz. Farmers get: 98 cents.
  • CANNED PUMPKIN: Consumers pay $4.29 for 15 oz. Farmers get: 14 cents.

Join the NFU’s Fairness for Farmers campaign here, and check out resources and support for family farmers from Farm Aid here.

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