By Andi Anderson
As the holiday season approaches, a recent report from the University of Illinois highlights the looming impact of inflation on Americans' plans for Christmas meals.
The quarterly Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey discovered that nearly 68% of respondents foresee elevated food expenses affecting their holiday meal preparations.
Among those anticipating cost impacts, over half plan to scout for discounts on holiday ingredients. Additionally, 30% aim to reduce the variety of foods served, while 28% intend to cut back on the quantity of food prepared for their festive gatherings.
In response to the rising costs, about 18% plan to request guests to contribute more dishes to the holiday spread. Moreover, 16% are exploring increased reliance on government assistance to procure ingredients, and roughly 13.3% anticipate turning to food banks for assistance with their holiday meals.
Alarming as it may be, 4.4% of consumers revealed their intentions to cancel their holiday meals altogether due to financial constraints.
A notable shift in meal planning includes altering the assortment of foods served, with approximately 22% of participants considering changes. Interestingly, the survey observed a trend of some consumers reducing meat consumption to manage costs, although it wasn't the most prevalent cost-saving approach.
The survey also delved into the preferred proteins for Christmas meals. Pork and turkey emerged as the top choices, with a combined preference of 92%. Beef followed as the third favorite at 34.4%. Notably, fish or other seafood (13.9%) surpassed non-turkey birds like duck, goose, or game hens by a margin of 4.6%.
This shift in meal planning and ingredient choices highlights the evolving landscape of holiday meals amid economic challenges.
For more insights into the impact of inflation on festive meal preparations, refer to the University of Illinois's survey findings.
Photo Credit: istock-elenathewise
Categories: Illinois, General