Thanksgiving Price Increases ‘Just Astronomical,’ Shoppers Say

Renee Fernandez had a simple strategy for Thanksgiving shopping this year: look for sales.

The 40-year-old stay-at-home mom who expects to host ten people for Thanksgiving visited several Long Island, N.Y., stores looking for deals and hoping to stretch her $250 grocery budget.

“I’m not even looking at brands right now,” said Fernandez, while shopping recently at a ShopRite in Selden. “It’s like, whatever is within my price range and however much I have to spend [in my budget]. If I have to put something back, I will.”

Some of Fernandez’s family members are helping this year with the cooking and baking. But, she said, there will likely be some holiday favorites missing from the dinner table. “There’s certain things my sister likes that I just can’t make because the inflation is just crazy,” she said.

It’s not just a Thanksgiving problem. Fernandez’s husband drives for UPS, working long hours and Saturdays, she said. But the family is still struggling to keep up with rising prices.

“The prices are just astronomical,” she said, “so, no matter what we do, it’s never enough.”