PROVIDENCE – Most people prefer stuffing with their turkey over mashed potatoes, and if given the opportunity, they’d like to share their Thanksgiving meal with award-winning actress Meryl Streep.
That’s according to a national online survey recently commissioned by grocery store retailer Stop & Shop on Oct. 17 and 18. KRC Research conducted the survey of 1,110 U.S. adults 18 and over.
Stop & Shop said it conducted the survey to ensure it had the widest variety of turkey offerings.
The survey found 36 percent of people living in the Northeast prefer their Thanksgiving turkey frozen, while 25 percent will purchase an organic/antibiotic free fresh turkey and 27 percent will serve a traditional fresh turkey.
More than half of those in the Northeast – 52 percent – said stuffing is their favorite side dish, compared with 48 percent nationally. Mashed potatoes were the least popular side in the Northeast, where 24 percent of people picked it as their top side, compared with 31 percent nationwide.
If given the chance to dine with the stars, 26 percent of those in the Northeast said they would like to spend Thanksgiving dinner with Streep.
Another 18 percent chose singer Taylor Swift, 17 percent chose actor Matt Damon, 14 percent picked New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady, 10 percent chose actor Ben Affleck, actress Mindy Kaling received 7 percent and retired Red Sox slugger David Ortiz received 6 percent.
The survey also revealed that 61 percent of New Englanders will spend up to $100 on their Thanksgiving meal, while 18 percent will spend up to $150, and 12 percent will spend more than $200.
Nearly half of those in the Northeast say their favorite part of Thanksgiving is spending time with family and friends, while 26 percent say it’s eating and drinking. Another 10 percent report their favorite part about the day is relaxing, 7 percent say watching sports, 5 percent look forward to Black Friday shopping and 3 percent say volunteering.
