What Target's $20 Thanksgiving Menu Says About Grocery Shopping in 2024

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but tighter budgets mean holiday meals will have to adapt. Target is reporting on a food deal that aims to offer a traditional feast without the high price tag.

Rising costs have changed the way Americans plan their holidays. What once meant a table full of dishes now has to fit into smaller budgets. Target is responding with a $20 Thanksgiving meal that's $5 lower than last year. The meal includes all the basic ingredients for four people: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce. It is designed to offer familiar flavors while keeping costs down.

What's included in Target's $20 Thanksgiving meal?

This $20 meal package serves four people for just $5 per person. It can also be doubled to serve eight people while still keeping the cost manageable. The following is included:

• Good & Gather Premium Basted Young Turkey (Frozen) – up to 10 pounds.
• Good & collect russet potatoes – 5 pounds.
• Del Monte sliced ​​green beans – 14.5 ounces
• Campbell's cream of mushroom soup – 10.5 ounces
• Jelly Cranberry Sauce with Ocean Spray – 14 ounces.
• Stovetop Turkey Stuffing Mix – 6 ounces.
• Heinz Home-Style Roasted Turkey Gravy – 12 ounces.

The dish combines popular brands with convenience and quality, focusing on a hearty holiday meal without the hassle. At 79 cents per pound, the turkey is 20% cheaper than last year, making it even more affordable.

Major retailers are adapting to new realities

Although food prices are still high compared to pre-pandemic levels, they are rising more slowly than before. The USDA's Food Price Outlook shows that food prices rose just 1% in 2024, down from 5% in 2023 and 11.4% in 2022. Key categories such as fish, dairy and fresh produce increased even more this year to price declines. This easing inflation has allowed retailers like Target to offer cheaper holiday meals.

According to Oracle's grocery trends report, private label sales now account for nearly 20% of sales, with online grocery delivery sales growing faster than in-store purchases. This shift has led to more budget-friendly offerings like Target's $20 meal, designed to meet evolving consumer demand for low-cost options.

Competing offers from other stores

Other major retailers also offer affordable Thanksgiving options:

These offerings reflect efforts across the retail landscape to make holiday meals more accessible.

Why Target's Thanksgiving meal stands out

This trend goes beyond just holiday dishes. It reflects how retailers are reshaping their strategies to adapt to a changing economic climate. By offering lower-cost, pre-packaged vacation options, they help consumers overcome financial challenges without compromising on what matters most: sharing a meal with loved ones.

As the holidays approach, it's becoming clear that budget-friendly options like Target's $20 Thanksgiving meal deal are more than just deals. It reflects consumers' changing priorities – maintaining tradition while sticking to a budget. They're part of a larger effort to uphold traditions and prove that even in difficult times, the core of holiday celebrations – coming together – remains strong.

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