FLORIDA, USA — In less than a week, we'll all be gathered around the table, thinking about where our stretchy pants are, surrounded by friends and family and a whole lot of food.
But before we're able to eat ourselves silly, a lot of prep work goes into planning out every dish and purchasing each ingredient. The Friday before Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving day is the busiest grocery shopping week of the year.
With so many dishes to prepare, hosts like Jane Messina have already bought most of their Thanksgiving meal ingredients.
"My Thanksgiving tradition is a 30-year-old tradition. I have my whole family over." Messina said. "The Thanksgiving meal can be quite economical if you know how to cook, but yes, it has gone up."
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people is 25 percent more expensive this year compared to 2019.
The year-over-year inflation rate reached 3.7% in September 2023. Grocery stores everywhere are feeling the spending impacts of inflation.
"So we know these customers are in need of an option to save money," said Matt Thon, the ALDI Division VP for the Florida Haines City Division.
According to a recent Wallet Hub study, the Tampa Bay area ranks No. 2 in the nation for the greatest increase in the consumer price index. Miami ranked No. 1.
"So the stress is real for the inflation that's affecting grocery prices, and we're happy to be the leader on price," Thon said.
As prices increase, shoppers are adapting, bringing their A-game this week to make sure every Thanksgiving staple makes it to the table.
"Grocery shopping is no longer a one-stop thing for me," Messina said. "Luckily, here on Bruce B. Downs, we have many choices. And yes, I find myself stopping here multiple times a week and shopping multiple places to get the best price.
Malique Rankin is a general assignment reporter with 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her story ideas at mrankin@10tampabay.com and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.