When’s the last day for Thanksgiving orders at Publix, Winn-Dixie? Soon for best deals
Thanksgiving is almost here. Whether you’re hosting a large pre-pandemic-style dinner party or opting for a smaller gathering this year, you don’t have to spend hours cooking in the kitchen.
South Florida restaurants are offering special holiday menus for people who want to dine out, with some spots serving turkey meals to-go. But if you’re craving home-cooked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, you might have to make your own meal — or at least heat it up.
And the last day to place your order at the grocery store is almost here.
The good news for those who don’t like to cook or don’t know how to cook is that a lot of the traditional Thanksgiving favorites are available fully cooked, though heating will be required.
The bad news is that while experts don’t predict a turkey shortage this year, they do expect some sizes and varieties will be harder to find.
“It’s not like we forgot to start raising turkeys,” Trey Malone, an agricultural economist at Michigan State University, told Vox. “What’s really happening is that you have these disruptions along the supply chain. It’s not because there’s no turkeys, it’s that the turkeys are in the wrong places at the wrong time.”
Prices have gone up, too, and not just for turkey. Consumer Price Index data from September shows the cost of “food at home” — which includes eggs, meat, fish and poultry — is up 10.5% compared with 2020, as McClatchy News has reported.
This means you’ll want to start stocking up (or place your turkey order) as soon as possible, especially if you want to shop around for the best deal.
Here are your Turkey Day deadlines:
Last day to order turkey and side dishes at Publix, Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más?
▪ PUBLIX — Turkey and side dishes are available as part of a fully cooked Turkey Dinner bundle, though it will require heating. A Publix spokeswoman said the turkey and side dishes will also be sold individually, which is great if you are doing a smaller gathering this year. You can see what holiday dishes are available at publix.com by searching for “Holiday Meals.”
How much do meals cost? A turkey dinner bundle for 2-4 people costs $36.99, a dinner bundle for 7-10 people costs $54.99 and a dinner bundle for 14-18 people costs $99.99, according to Publix’s website.
Do I need to make an order? Publix said turkey and side dishes will be available at the store’s self-service section leading up to Thanksgiving, while supplies last. So if you really want to eat turkey, it’s best to place an order. And remember, Publix will not be open on Thanksgiving Day.
How to order: Online or in-store at least 48 hours in advance. A Publix spokeswoman said holiday meals can also be ordered via Instacart for delivery or curbside pickup, pending inventory availability and if it requires a 24-hour advance order.
▪ WINN-DIXIE and FRESCO Y MÁS — For people who have a large family or like to eat a lot, turkey and side dishes are available as part of a dinner special at Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más that will require heating. For people planning to have a smaller gathering this year, the deli will have hot, freshly made seasonal meal options.
Both stores are also offering a spiral ham dinner and a roasted pork shoulder dinner for those who don’t want turkey.
How much do meals cost? The deluxe turkey dinner serves 10-12 people and the deluxe spiral ham dinner serves 6-8 people. Both bundles cost $59.99 and are available at Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más. The deluxe roasted pork dinner available at Fresco y Más serves 10-12 people and also costs $59.99.
Do I need to make an order? For the deluxe dinner specials, orders are required. For deli items, orders are not required, but keep in mind that Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
How to order: At the store or over the phone 48 hours in advance for the deluxe dinner specials. For more information on the meals and to download an order form, visit winndixie.com and frescoymas.com, then click on the Shopping tab, and search for the Deli tab under Departments.
Ordering Thanksgiving meals at Sedano’s and Aldi?
▪ SEDANO’S SUPERMARKET — If you’re looking to buy a turkey, roasted pork or honey-glazed ham, make sure you check out the weekly flier Sedano’s has on its website to see if one of its Thanksgiving specials works for you.
A Sedano’s spokesperson said the supermarket will have various sizes available for its holiday meals to help accommodate customers who aren’t planning a large gathering. The store will also have Thanksgiving-related meals available by the pound at its hot “Grab and Go” and “Heat and Eat” sections, while supplies last.
How much does it cost? The turkey dinner with side dishes for 10 people costs $79.99 and the roasted pork dinner with side dishes for 10 people costs $69.99. If you’re craving a side of stuffing, it costs $6.99 by the pound, according to Sedano’s weekly South Florida flier.
How to order: In-store. You can see what specials your store is offering at shop.sedanos.com.
Do I need to make an order? Sedano’s doesn’t have a set deadline for the last day to order turkey and side dishes, but recommends people place an order at least three days in advance. Each store can accommodate a certain numbers of orders, so if you want a holiday meal, order as soon as possible.
▪ ALDI — If you’re looking for a cheap meal to make, Aldi might have what you need. The grocery store says you can make a traditional feast, including a butterball turkey, sides and pumpkin pie for less than $30 at aldi.us/en/.
How to order? You can get the items in store or place an order online, with some stores offering delivery or curbside pick-up, pending availability, according to the company. See the Thanksgiving special and Aldi’s Thanksgiving recipe guide online.
Turkey orders at Whole Foods? There are Prime deals
▪ WHOLE FOODS — Anyone who has an Amazon Prime membership might want to look at Whole Foods before checking out the competition. The grocery chain is offering discounts to Prime members on select turkeys, which are Animal Welfare Certified. For non-Prime members, the chain has a variety of prepared meals, including a vegan option. The company says all of its meals are fully cooked and would require reheating, unless otherwise specified.
How much does it cost? Turkey meals vary in price. A classic whole roast turkey meal for four costs $84.99, for example, while an organic whole roast turkey meal for four costs $109.99, according to Whole Foods website. The most expensive meal is an organic whole roast turkey meal for 12 at $249.99.
How to order? Holiday meals, turkeys, sides, appetizers, platters and desserts can be ordered online at shop.wfm.com , or by phone at 844-936-2428. Your order must be placed by Nov. 23 for in-store pickup.
If you’re using your Amazon Prime membership to get the turkey discount, your in-store pickup time must be on or before Nov. 25.
Orders for all turkey and side dishes that do not have a Prime discount need to be placed at least 24 or 48 hours in advance, depending on whether it’s labeled a “holiday” or everyday selection, respectively. But you better hurry. Some Whole Foods stores in South Florida already say some of the meals are “unavailable” to order online.
What about delivery? Depends. Whole Foods holiday FAQ guide says delivery for holiday items is only available to Prime members in select ZIP Codes. You can visit amazon.com/wholefoods or the Amazon app and look for the Whole Foods tab to see what is available to order. Then you can choose your delivery or pickup window.
All holiday orders reserved online at shop.wfm.com and through the grocery store’s “Holiday Table” can only be picked up in the store though some stores may offer curbside pickup. Still not sure? Chat with a rep online or call your local store for more details.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 7:00 AM.
