Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
High Gas Prices + Food Prices = More SPAM!
SPAM sales are on the rise. / Photo by freezelight via flickr.
When I was growing up, SPAM made an appearance on our kitchen table more times than I care to remember. We could afford other meats, but the pink meat-in-a-can was a kind of tradition for my parents, who were fed the stuff after the American GIs left the Philippines. (I guess they forgot their SPAM on purpose?) I remember having SPAM sandwiches in my lunchbox and getting ridiculed quizzed by my Fluffernutter-eating classmates.
But my family’s palate improved – and I haven’t tasted or seen a piece of SPAM in more than 20 years. And I haven’t thought much about the mix of pork shoulder and ham block in ages. Until this week. SPAM has been all over the media.
It seems that there’s a SPAM resurgence of sorts. (Or at least that's what Hormel wants us to believe, so says the NYT Freakonomics blog.) Rising gas prices and food costs have taken a dent many household budgets. How else can you explain Hormel’s boost in profit? From the New York Times:
Hormel Foods reported a 14 percent rise in quarterly profit on Thursday, helped by the popularity of its refrigerated foods and better sales of its Spam lunch meat, Hormel chili and Dinty Moore stew.
SPAM? Dinty Moore? What’s up next for the American table? Vienna Sausages in a blanket? Deviled Ham? People, people....next time you're at Ralphs, please remember there are other cost-effective protein alternatives to canned meat products: Eggs. Tofu. Peanut butter. Beans. Dairy.
Sponsored message
Stay away from the mystery meat. Even if you try to pretty it up -- like in musubi -- at the end of the day, really, it's still a slice of SPAM.
Now, Fluffernutter sandwiches are a different story.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
