SAGINAW COUNTY, Mich. -- Analysts say the traditional Thanksgiving spread will cost even less this year than in 2008.

WNEM TV5 put the food forecast to the test to find out how much it will cost to feed a family of 10.

The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for grocery stores.

TV5 compared a list of items and their prices with a similar list put together by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The AFBF national average for a turkey is $18.65 for a 16 pound bird.

At Meijer in Kochville Township, the cost was $19.04.

Cubed stuffing for the gobbler is $2.65 on their list; in Mid-Michigan, the cost is $2.50 for the same box.

A gallon of milk nationally is $2.86 where at the local Meijer it’s $2.29.

The national average for three pounds of sweet potatoes is $3.12, but in Mid-Michigan, the price is $.99 for three pounds.

For brown and serve rolls, $2.08 nationally, but locally the price is $1.50.

Cranberries cost $2.41 for a fresh 12 oz. bag nationally, but the same bag is $1.50 a bag closer to home.

Two pie shells and mix for pumpkin pies are $4.99 nationally; locally $4.86. A half pint of whipping cream for those pies -- $1.55 nationally, $1.39 at Meijer.

Residents seemed surprised to learn of the price comparison, with comments like “it’s really cheaper this year,” being most common.

The total cost difference between Mid-Michigan and the rest of the country was $4.24, with the price total being $34.07 locally and $38.31 nationally.

The national Thanksgiving price tag is down about 4 percent compared to last year.

Lower energy prices and the effects of the recession are cited for the decrease.