RICHMOND (WINA) – According to an informal survey by the Virginia Farm Bureau, the average price of this year’s Thanksgiving meal for ten is $91.30… a more than $17 increase over last year. Virginia Farm Bureau commodities specialist Elijah Griles says the main culprit is the price of the proteins… turkey and the boneless ham.

Whereas last year, the turkey supply was decimated due to an avian flu outbreak, Griles says there’s plenty this year with Virginia turkey production up 5.5% and national production up 4.4%. He says survey shoppers paid an average $2.18 a pound October 25-through-November 6, with much of the reason for higher prices was because retailers delayed their promotions.

And he said since they changed from the pricier, but more readily available boneless hams over last year’s bone-in — which is accounting for 8-to-9 dollars of the 17-dollar increase.

The survey’s menu consists of turkey, ham, stuffing, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, rolls, carrots, celery, cranberries, green beans, peas, milk and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.