Thanksgiving is one of the most iconic American holidays, along with Christmas and the Fourth of July. But while other holidays are bringing in even more revenue as time goes on, why is Thanksgiving becoming less popular? Through economic and environmental struggles, Thanksgiving is recieving the rough end of the stick from both.

The entire market has been on a decline for the past year. While some billionaires who control it are thriving, most have been facing hardships. During the pandemic, when the customers of these large enterprises were dependent on the online capabilities of their applications, the market was doing great, and promoting companies that were not even remotely connected to the outbreak. Now, as we slowly get more accustomed to our previous ways, our dependency online has diminished, bringing down the market.

Along with this, the raging issue of global warming has also impacted the situation. According to Brad Rubin, “The virus doesn’t usually flourish in warm temperatures, but this season was different”. The global temperature has been at a rise for so many seasons in a row that viruses have adapted to it. The fluctuation in weather has offset the environment, and livestock aren’t able to survive in the harsh conditions. 2.5% of the national turkey population has died off, most of that coming from the turkeys that were supposed to be for human consumption. This is causing a 23% price increase in turkeys, meaning that many families will not be able to afford the now-expensive bird.

One way to save money in today’s economy is to consider not buying a turkey at all. Chickens are a healthier alternative that are much cheaper due to a higher production. If you insist on turkey, maybe consider buying just the breast. The breast itself has also experienced a price jump, one even higher than the jump of the entire bird. But if you calculate a weight to price ratio, the breast is still a better option than the entire bird. For other parts of the Thanksgiving meal, try out canned cranberries. Many people prefer canned cranberries over fresh anyway, so now, it’s their time to shine. With potato prices rising, sweet potatoes and yams are becoming seemingly better choices. It is always smart to improvise, and buying in bulk is the next best solution. You might not want to buy multiple turkeys, but you could buy a lot of potatoes (whether they are sweet or not) and use some of them now, some of them later. Canned goods have a long life, so the cranberries will last a few Thanksgivings.

In January, the price for a dozen eggs was $1.20. Now, it’s at $3.50. With prices growing at such fast rates, it is hard to see a future without outrageous prices for staples of cuisine. We don’t know anything for sure, but if we want these hard times to end, we can all work together and help. By making the planet healthier, the animals that live on it will become healthier too. Make smart decisions, and realize that every action has its own effect.

Sources:
https://www.fooddive.com/news/thanksgiving-dinner-costs-increase-wells-fargo/635364/
https://www.fooddive.com/news/eggs-turkey-prices-increase-price-hpai-outbreak-bird-flu-poultry-disease/631345/