CCFB News» November 2025

Although shoppers may notice higher prices for certain ingredients, the overall cost of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner has decreased, according to an annual survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

In its 40th year, the Thanksgiving survey reports a table of classic dishes for 10 people will cost an average of $55.18, or about $5.52 per person, down 5% from last year, but still higher than four years ago. The estimated cost in Illinois is 11% below the national average, with an estimated total meal cost of $49.20.

Thanksgiving dinner will cost less this year, marking the third straight year of price declines. Farm Bureau’s informal survey shopping list includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a vegetable tray and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

One of the main questions our Ag in the Classroom (AITC) Program receives is what exactly our program is all about. In short, AITC offers free, hands-on programs that teach students about agriculture. Cook County Farm Bureau (CCFB)’s AITC Program was created in 1986. Since then, our presenters have given 28,758 presentations to 683,120 students (we keep track of every presentation and every student we see, so our statistics are as accurate as possible!).

Members of the Resolutions Committee forwarded the following resolutions to Illinois Farm Bureau® delegates. The resolutions submitted by Cook County Farm Bureau include:

Disposal of Waste
At this time, there are no federal standards that define or regulate bioplastics, biodegradable, or compostable products. U.S. manufacturers can choose to follow voluntary industry standards developed by the American Standards Testing Materials (ASTM) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), but not all do. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed a voluntary standard certifying the content of biobased products called BioPreferred. Still, manufacturers are not required to verify or disclose the amount of plant-based materials contained in their products.

Are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year? According to the 2025 Butterball Togetherness Report, 89% of Americans plan on celebrating the holiday this year, with 84% of celebrants eating turkey.

In September, Cook County Farm Bureau leaders traveled to the nation’s capital. Not to sight-see. Not for a vacation. Not for a couple of days away with friends. But to broaden leaders’ understanding of agricultural issues and how the federal government intersects with those issues.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by increased spending, which often leads to the familiar New Year’s resolution to cut back spending and save more money. But what if you could get ahead of that cycle this year?

Check out the winning photos from the Fall Photo Contest.

Check out the Winners Circle for the 25th Giant Pumpkin, Dessert, Carving, Decorating, and Local Honey Contests!

I’ve never told the giver of the stovetop popcorn popper at our wedding how much use and abuse the whirligig has seen over the past 24 years.

We would like to personally thank you on behalf of the board and staff for your membership with the Cook County Farm Bureau®.

USDA recently predicted the 2025 national average composite wholesale price for a frozen whole hen turkey will be $1.32 per pound, up 38 cents per pound, or 40%, from the 2024 average price of 94 cents.

Jackie’s Turkey Meatloaf
Jackie P, Master Gardener Extraordinaire, Riverside

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As I reflect on the year 2025 and life in general, a few thankful thoughts float through my gray matter. Rather than let those thoughts remain stuck all alone up there in my brain, I must share…need that memory space to create a Christmas gift list.