American consumers are coping with rising costs for Thanksgiving meals, as factors like disease outbreaks, inflation, tariffs, and climate change contribute to the smallest US turkey flock in 40 years and surging food prices. Larry Doll of Old Brick Farm avoided poultry diseases and sold all his turkeys at $6.50 per pound, while stores such as Aldi and Kroger work to offset higher turkey prices for families. Experts like Marcus Coleman and Michael Swanson attribute these price spikes and agricultural challenges to extreme weather, shifting seasons, and market dynamics, with some regional relief seen in places like Washington, D.C. where prices have dipped.