Posted on 03/29/2011 4:54:33 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA
TAMPA - With food prices on the rise and families struggling to stretch their food dollars, sales of Spam are up and so is the price.
Spam is just the sort of food you'd expect Americans to turn to in an economic crisis. The iconic metal can has been a part of the country's food landscape since 1937, fed the troops during World War II and harkens back to Baby Boomers' childhood.
Spam also enjoys something of a cult standing in popular culture, with legions of devoted fans swapping recipes online, annual festivals in Hawaii and Minnesota, and Spam cooking competitions at more than 20 county and state fairs.
For many others, it remains a deliberately repressed culinary memory.
Still, the numbers suggest many people are giving Spam a second chance.
In its most recent earnings report, filed last month, Hormel Foods reported a 6 percent first-quarter sales increase in its grocery foods division, driven by bigger sales of Spam and other products.
Hormel's international sales increased 17 percent year-over-year, driven by greater exports of fresh pork and Spam. That helped increase Hormel's first-quarter earnings 34 percent, compared to 2010.
Hormel spokeswoman Julie H. Craven explained her theory as to why in an email to the Tribune:
"Sales of Spam products continue to rise both nationally and internationally because it is offered at a great value, has a distinct savory and salty-sweet taste consumers enjoy and is versatile because it can be used in a variety of dishes."
A combination of ham and chopped pork shoulder meat, Spam is versatile. Witness the hundreds of recipes logged on the official Spam Recipe Exchange and the many varieties Hormel sells, including Spam with bacon, Spam with cheese and hickory smoked SPAM.
(Excerpt) Read more at 2.tbo.com ...
Hey this was good stuff when I was in the Army back in 72 making about $200/month. Only about half a buck a can at the PX. Was a step up from C-rats and did not need a P-38
What is the shelf life of a Hormel Foods product in an unopened can?
The processing techniques utilized by Hormel Foods makes the canned product safe for use indefinitely if the product seal remains intact, unbroken and securely attached to a can that has been well maintained. It is suggested that all canned products be stored in a cool and dry environment to keep the flavor adequately preserved. For maximum flavor it is recommended that the product be used within three years of the manufacturing date. After that period of time, the product is still safe to use however, the flavor gradually declines.
http://www.hormelfoods.com/faqs.aspx
my sister thought the devil’s ham looked like cat food.......she embarrassed me in front of my boyfriend. I have to agree with her, it is gross looking.
The "best results" life is three years. I've always loved the stuff since I was a little kid, and have always kept a rotating stock. I'm now eating stuff that I bought before Obama was in office, and am now buying stuff I'll be eating after he's gone ;-)
Spam is still just $2.28 at Walmart here.
I think a lot of people don’t care for it because they traditionally served a lot of it in school cafeterias and the military and people just got tired of it. Further, schools usually serve in in thick slices, ideally prepared it should be sliced thin and fried.
I grew up eating spam, now i cant stand it, but we have a boat load of it put away. There are lots of alternatives available, some are pricey, like actual canned ham, canned beef and such. Man can’t live on spam alone.
LOL! I just noticed your name!
Slice it up - sprinkle brown sugar on top and bake it in the oven - yummy! My mom used to make this for us six kids when we were little and we loved it!
Mashed with a fork or potato masher add real mayo, relish, dash of mustard and you have a quick & easy spread for on sandwiches or crackers.
Many variations as you can add mashed hard boiled eggs, grated cheese, pimentos, onions, celery, olives, walnuts, cranraisins, diced apples, crushed pineapple, etc.
Hickory smoked Spam.....MMMmmmmmmmm
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Bake after covering with Brown sugar, inserting cloves & you have SPAM HAM
Tasty.....
Sliced up with lots of butter in a pam....then on 2 slices of bread with some cheese.
Yum.
Nothing beats Spam n’ Crackers or Spam sandwiches in ‘survival situations’! Combined with some beans n’ rice, and you have yourself a perfect ‘Mad Max’ meal!
I think Spam also lasts for a millennium while stored in the can, which is great for long term storage!
Without Spam, we wouldn’t have been able to feed our army. Nikata Khrushchev
I’m surprised that they aren’t selling spam by the case at COSTCO.
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