Holiday Meals More Expensive This Year? Blame the Weather in Texas

[xchrom]

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/11/holiday-meals-more-expensive-this-year-blame-the-weather-in-texas/248090/

A narrow swath of ocean off the coast of South America drops three degrees, and a year later the cost of Thanksgiving turkey rises in the United States.

Last September, abnormal cooling in the Pacific Ocean, known as La Niña, shifted rain away from the southern United States, resulting in one of the worst droughts in recent history. Today, every inch of Texas is in a state of extreme or exceptional drought and has been for months, Texas lakes and reservoirs are drying up, and state officials project long-term water shortages. Three million acres of Texas -- equal to 34 Manhattans -- have burned in wildfires this year.

If you can't feel the heat of the drought where you live, you can certainly feel the pinch at the nearest grocery store. Texas is a keystone of U.S. agriculture, and with the oncoming holiday shopping rush, consumers across the country are going to see the effects of those three small degrees on their receipts.

"Yes, we are going to see higher prices this Thanksgiving," Purdue University agricultural economist Corinne Alexander explained. And the price of beef is leading the charge.

[Downwinder]

1. After seeing Rick Perry I am sure that everybody will agree

that Texas turkeys are second to none.

[Lint Head]

2. But....but... Ricky prayed!

[frazzled]

3. Why would you buy a turkey from Texas unless you live in Texas?

I always make sure to buy a local or at least regional turkey. I buy the organic, so it costs a ridiculous fortune anyway.

And if you live in the North or Northeast, of course stick to regionally available vegetables for the season like Brussels sprouts and root vegetables. I guess no pecan pie this year.