Chef Lidia Bastianich Discusses Food Inflation, Thanksgiving Tips, and New PBS Special on CNBC

Chef Lidia Bastianich’s interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box (November 24, 2025) covers three core themes: food inflation dynamics, her upcoming PBS special, and practical Thanksgiving tips [0]. The timing aligns with pre-Thanksgiving planning, making insights directly relevant for holiday hosts [3]. US food inflation stood at 3.1% year-over-year in September 2025, a moderation from higher rates in 2022-2023 [5]. Thanksgiving meal costs are down 2-6% (driven by lower turkey prices) but select items like sweet potatoes (up 37%) and fresh vegetable trays (up 61%) remain pricey due to Hurricane damage in North Carolina and farm labor shortages [3][4].

The interview’s focus on community food sharing (via the PBS special) ties to inflation challenges—highlighting both consumer relief (cheaper turkeys) and ongoing produce price volatility [2]. The mixed Thanksgiving price trends reflect broader inflation dynamics: moderating overall rates but persistent supply chain-driven volatility in specific categories [4][5]. The cross-promotion between the CNBC interview and PBS special (airing Nov 25) suggests a deliberate strategy to raise awareness about food insecurity [2].

Risks include higher costs for key Thanksgiving produce items potentially straining household budgets [4]. Opportunities include leveraging the interview to amplify the PBS special’s message on community food solutions [2]. The moderating inflation rate provides some relief for holiday shoppers, though uneven price trends require careful planning [5].

Chef Bastianich’s CNBC appearance is timely for pre-Thanksgiving planning. Her PBS special “A Nation of Neighbors” premieres November 25, 2025, focusing on community food sharing. Food inflation is moderating but uneven across holiday items, with turkey prices down and produce costs up due to supply chain issues.