By Brenden Miller, Staff Writer
Thanksgiving is a joyous time when families gather to share laughter, smiles, and enjoy plates of delicious food. It is a time to truly unwind and be around the people you love. However, this year that comfort comes with a higher price tag, and for many households, Thanksgiving dinner will be on thin plates.
Based on an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Bankrate, since the 2020 pandemic, inflation has not truly gone away. Prices for consumer goods are now over 24% higher than they were before the pandemic, while paychecks mostly remained stagnant.
President Donald Trump addressed these frustrations by proposing tariffs on imported goods to support American industries and potentially lower grocery prices.
“He wants to renegotiate a lot of deals. Most countries don’t want to renegotiate. So, he’s going to use tariffs as a sledgehammer to force them all to negotiate with new bilateral trade deals that are more beneficial to the United States,” said Dr. Marco Rimanelli, professor of political science at Saint Leo University.
But the ripple effects have been felt at grocery stores across America. While tariffs aim to help domestic businesses, they have also driven up prices on many everyday items, including Thanksgiving staples.
In recent years, turkey has become much more expensive with the average price increasing from $1.50 per pound in 2020 to about $2.50 per pound in 2023. Inflation, labor shortages, increased shipping costs, and the lingering effects of the avian flu outbreak are some of the factors contributing to this increase.
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the avian flu has caused turkey production to decline significantly, and supply chain disruptions and increased demand have driven up prices.
Beginning on Oct. 1, the U.S. government shut down for 43 days, putting programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) at risk and creating uncertainty for more than 40 million Americans who rely on food assistance.
The average SNAP participant receives roughly $187 per month, which is not enough to cover rising grocery costs. Despite this national uncertainty and economic pressure, students at Saint Leo have demonstrated the deep commitment and heart of the campus community by stepping up with a powerful, local response through the SGU Student Government (SGU) Union Food Pantry.
The Student Government Union has seen a great amount of donations for the Thanksgiving season to their SGU Food Pantry.
“While our power is limited in reaching those outside the campus walls, the Student Government Union is a proud advocate of the Town of Saint Leo,” said Beau Wolfe, vice-president of communications for the SGU and a Student Affairs worker.
“Those working at the town have gathered lots of donated food items for families. A great portion of these have been donated to the SGU Food Pantry for any students in need,” stated Wolfe.
“There are many food items in inventory including a large variety of canned goods and snack items. The food pantry has gotten very full; however, donations are always appreciated in this season of giving,” added Wolfe.
The message is clear: Students are welcome to look at items from the food pantry and provide them for their family or anyone they see in need. There is plenty to go around.
“One person may not think they can make a difference, but the accumulation of donations can ramp up fast … Even just a little bit of effort at a time can add up to create such a large impact,” stated Wolfe.
For many Floridians, this Thanksgiving will still look different. Some are cutting back on side dishes or skipping desserts, and others are leaving out turkey. Families are trying to hold on to tradition even as the cost of that tradition grows out of reach.
Even though food is more expensive this year and times feel uncertain, we should not forget the spirit of Thanksgiving. It’s a time to be grateful for what we have, to come together with those we love, and to remember the true meaning of the holiday isn’t found in what is on the table, but in who is gathered around it.
