While many food items cost more than normal, there is one thing buyers can be thankful for this year. Frozen turkeys are cheap, and some stores have returned the tradition of turkey giveaways.
Kroger and Walmart have frozen turkeys for less than one dollar a pound. Other stores such as BJ's, H-E-B, Giant Eagle and Shop Rite are giving away a turkey with a minimum purchase at their stores.
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However, experts say these prices don't reflect what is really going on.
The Department of Agriculture says wholesale turkey prices are actually up 40% from last year, due to ongoing bird flu and smaller flocks overall.
Stores call turkeys "loss leaders". They know that because turkey prices are so low they can raise the prices in other areas, and on other Thanksgiving staples. That's how they are able to sell turkeys so cheap, amid the rising costs in the poultry industry.
While grocery inflation is up 2.7% this year, Forbes said Thanksgiving dinner is down three percent, and that's worth giving thanks for.
Turkey deals will only last until Thanksgiving, and stores could run out. So don't wait to grab a free, or almost free, turkey.
