![For Many New Yorkers, Chicken Not Turkey May Be the Main Thanksgiving Course This Year](https://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2022/10/attachment-gabriel-garcia-marengo-XaDsH-O2QXs-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
For Many New Yorkers, Chicken Not Turkey May Be the Main Thanksgiving Course This Year
As New Yorkers brace for winter and the probability that gas, electric, and home heating fuel prices will rise, many are having to make sacrifices at the grocery store and that will include what ends up front and center on the Thanksgiving dinner table.
![99.1 The Whale logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WAALFM.png?w=100)
The holidays are supposed to be a time of feasting on delicious food with family and friends while being reminded of the bounty of our labor. Except for many, this year, chicken will take the prime spot on the dinner table instead of turkey for the first time in their lives.
Turkey prices have reached an all-time high. The Wall Street Journal reports that the cost of the bird that normally ends up on our dinner tables is up 57 percent compared to its five-year average.
On the other hand, the price of turkey breast meat has surged to a cost of more than $6.50 per pound. In 2020, the same cut cost less than $2.00 per pound.
The main reason turkey is so expensive this year is because of a massive and widespread bird flu outbreak. According to the United States Agriculture Department, the outbreak has caused turkey production issues in 39 states, and the outbreak has affected approximately 40.57 million turkeys.
Turkey isn't the only Thanksgiving staple that has been a big hike in price. Price increases on groceries across the board will see New Yorkers paying at the very least, $78.00 for Thanksgiving dinner in 2022. In 2021, that price was $68.00 and in 2020, the price was $55.00.
LOOK: Here Are the 25 Best Thanksgiving movies of all time
15 Iconic Retail Stores That Don't Exist Anymore (But We Totally Miss Shopping At)
KEEP READING: Check out these totally awesome '80s toys
More From 99.1 The Whale
![These Thanksgiving Foods Are Bad For Your Dog](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2023/11/attachment-RS16179_614214778-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Have You Seen Binghamton’s B.C. Comics’ Thanksgiving Special?](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2023/11/attachment-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Eating Food From A Grocery Store Before Paying – Have You Ever?](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2023/08/attachment-gemma-stpjHJGqZyw-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Rules for Turkey Hunters This Year in New York](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2023/04/attachment-Turkey-Hunting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![What is New York’s Southern Tier So Excited About This Thanksgiving?](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2022/11/attachment-thanksgiv.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Iconic Broome County Restaurant Sides We Want on Thanksgiving](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2022/11/attachment-RS14884_450807555-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Holiday Season Is Here – Let’s Not Forget Thanksgiving](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2022/11/attachment-RS13015_491135544-scr-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Yorkers Will Have To Spend an Extra $168 on Back to School This Year](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2022/08/attachment-laura-rivera-ArH3dtoDQc0-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![As Food Prices Continue To Climb, More New Yorkers Are Turning to Meal Prepping](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2022/08/attachment-annie-spratt-UyEmagArOLY-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)