Walmart introduces $3.50 per person holiday meal kit

Walmart announced on Wednesday that its holiday meal basket for the current year will be priced at $35. This total cost allows the kit to feed ten individuals, resulting in a per-person expense of $3.50. The retailer stated that this pricing strategy is a direct response to internal survey data indicating that consumers are actively seeking lower prices for holiday food items.

The dinner kit is available for purchase both in physical stores and online until December 24. In a public statement, Walmart emphasized that this year's offering includes 18% more items than the previous year's basket. Additionally, the company noted that the cost is 12% lower than the price of the same items last year. Walmart described the current package as the lowest priced one-click basket in the history of the program.

To further reduce the burden on shoppers, Walmart is providing free express delivery for the meal basket through November 30. This initiative comes at a time when food costs remain a significant concern for many households. According to the CBS News Price Tracker, food prices across the United States had risen by 2.5% through September of this year. Broader data from the Federal Reserve indicates that the cost of food purchased at grocery stores for home consumption has surged by more than 30% since 2020.

The holiday basket contains a total of 26 individual items, drawn from 17 different products. The selection includes a mix of Walmart's private label Great Value brand items and well-known national brands. The assortment covers traditional Thanksgiving staples as well as convenient sides and desserts. The list includes JIFFY Corn Muffin Mix, with two 8.5 oz boxes, and Great Value Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn, which comes in three 15 oz cans.

Vegetable options in the kit include three 14.5 oz cans of Great Value Cut Green Beans and a 5 lb bag of fresh whole russet potatoes. For gravy and toppings, the basket features a 10.5 oz can of Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, two 0.87 oz packets of Great Value Brown Gravy Mix, and a 6 oz resealable bag of Great Value French Fried Onions Salad Topping.

Dessert and baking components are also included to support a full holiday meal. Shoppers will find two 9-inch pie crusts and pans, weighing 15 oz, from the Great Value brand. The kit also contains a 15 oz can of Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin, a 12 fl oz can of Great Value Evaporated Milk, and a frozen 8 oz container of Great Value Whipped Topping for desserts and fruit.

Staple breads and sides are represented by a 12 oz, 12-count package of Great Value Brown and Serve Rolls. For the main stuffing component, the basket includes two 6 oz boxes of Stove Top Stuffing Mix, which is marketed for dinner sides and Thanksgiving dinners. Fresh produce is limited to a 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries and three fresh whole sweet potatoes, described as a delicious and versatile root vegetable.

The centerpiece of the meal is a Butterball Frozen Whole Turkey. This all-natural turkey weighs between 10 and 16 lbs and is designed to serve seven to 11 people. To complement the turkey and sides, the basket includes a 10 oz bag of Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows. The combination of these items aims to provide a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for holiday cooking.