Purdue Ag News

November 7, 1997

Give thanks for lower November food prices

This Thanksgiving, the turkey, the apples in your pie and the butter on your potatoes should cost you less, said Purdue agricultural economists Joe Uhl and Lee Schrader. Potatoes and cranberries should cost no more than last year. You'll pay more for the coffee and the salad, however.

Last fall, U.S. food prices rose because of small harvests, strong export markets and weather problems, Schrader said. In contrast, he says, large harvests, more stable world food supplies and moderate inflation rates kept prices down in 1997.

Turkey supplies are high, he said. Stocks of birds ready for market on Oct. 1 were about 7 percent higher than last year. Large supplies and low demand have brought wholesale prices below where they were a year ago. Current prices are so low, in fact, that they don't cover production costs.

You should be able to take home a turkey for less than the retailer's cost (or free with additional purchase), Schrader said. As usual, you'll probably see whole-turkey specials on specific sizes or brands right next to birds selling for more than $1 a pound. If you don't want a whole bird, you'll probably find this year's prices lower than last year's, but you're less likely to get a deep discount.

Overall food prices this year are rising at a 1.7 percent annual rate compared to last year's 3.3 percent, Uhl said. Many foods, including oranges, butter, eggs, apples, dairy products and bacon, cost less than last year. Cranberries, potatoes and sweet potatoes are plentiful and shouldn't cost more. In fact, the cranberry harvest is close to a record after two years of disappointing crops, he said.

Consumers can expect continued moderate food price increases into 1998, Uhl said.

CONTACTS: Uhl (765) 494-4219, e-mail Uhl@agecon.purdue.edu, and Schrader (765) 494-4302, e-mail, schrader@agecon.purdue.edu

New Extension director named in Southwest District

"Tom began his career in Extension as a 4-H youth educator in Randolph County in 1970," Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service director Henry A. Wadsworth said in announcing the appointment. "Since then, he's been agriculture and natural resources educator and county Extension director in both Starke and St. Joseph counties. His leadership and expertise will be an asset in the district director position."

Wadsworth said district directors provide leadership that fosters teamwork and capitalizes on the expertise of Extension educators in developing educational programs on high-priority problems and issues. Program areas include agriculture and natural resources, community development, families, and youth. The Extension Service provides research-based information in these areas from Purdue to help enhance the quality of life for Indiana residents.

Hampton has both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Purdue. He has received the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Distinguished Service Award, and he is a member of the Indiana Extension Educators Association, Epsilon Sigma Phi and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. He has held various offices in all three organizations. His professional activities include participation in a number of training programs and involvement on several boards and committees.

CONTACT: Wadsworth, (765) 494-8494; e-mail, Henry_Wadsworth@ces.purdue.edu

Dickason takes over as Marion County Extension director

"In December of 1995, Maryann assumed a newly established position in work force preparedness in Marion County," said Henry A. Wadsworth, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service director. "She worked closely with several groups to design and implement school-to-work programs."

Before her move to Marion County Extension, Dickason was county Extension director and community development educator in Morgan County. She also has been a consumer and family sciences educator in Morgan County, a department manager for Wm. H. Block Co., and an assistant buyer for L.S. Ayres & Co.

She has a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and has taken intensive short courses in marketing Extension, personal finance and community development. Dickason has received a number of honors, including the 1996 National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Continued Excellence Award. She belongs to several professional organizations, serves on numerous committees, and is involved extensively in her community.

CONTACT: Wadsworth, (765) 494-8494; e-mail, Henry_Wadsworth@ces.purdue.edu

Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; E-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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