Cash-strapped Americans are rediscovering a Depression-era pantry staple — Spam — and it’s flying off shelves.
With global turmoil rattling nerves, employment uncertainty looming, and wallet-busting grocery bills hitting home, anxious shoppers are turning to the canned meat for sustenance and savings, just as they’ve always done in times of hardship, according to Hormel Foods, who claim the proof is in their booming sales.
“Domestically, the brand has achieved record net sales in nine of the last 10 years, steadily growing its fan base in the US,” a Hormel spokesperson told The Post. “This decade of growth is evidence that new on-trend flavors and the brand’s accessibility and versatility in the kitchen are connecting with today’s consumer in exciting and fun new ways.”
The price is hard to beat. One can runs just over $4 at Walmart and other big-name chain stores.
The pre-cooked canned meat is made mainly from pork and ham, mixed with salt, water, sugar, and preservatives.
It hit shelves on July 5, 1937, to help fill bellies during the Great Depression, according to its website, then went on to earn legendary status during World War II when soldiers relied on it as a shelf-stable source of protein.
It was popular in the UK during war rationing. Later, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher called it a “wartime delicacy.”
Across the country, families are rediscovering the many faces of Spam — fried Spam, Spam sandwiches, Spam and eggs, and even Spam fried rice. TikTok chefs are finding news ways to whip up Spam recipes all for younger followers, who turn to tiktok.com/discover/spam-recipe for inspiration in the kitchen.
Of course, the old jokes about the blue-and-yellow cans are still making the rounds.
An X commenter wrote: “Hormel Foods made their first batch of Spam in 1937. They have announced they will be making their second batch later this week. “
Most consumer don’t really know what SPAM stands for. Many speculate it could be “shoulder of pork and ham.” Another theory is “Special army meat.”
Hormel said any speculation is just that. The meaning of the name “is known by only a small circle of former Hormel Foods executives,” according to the company.
But the well-guarded secret only adds to the legend. Since 1937, Spam has sold a whopping 9 billion cans and is available in 44 countries, with 12 cans sold every second.
The meat is especially popular in Hawaii, where residents boast the highest consumption in the US. Hawaiian Burger King and McDonald’s on the islands both carry Spam. There’s even an annual Spam-themed festival, known as the “Waikiki Spam Jam.”
Renowned chef Gordon Ramsay has a favorite Spam recipe called “Hawaiian Spam Sandwich,” which he whips up for his 40 million TikTok followers.
“It’s beautiful!” he gushed. “Thank you mom!”
The company plans to increase Spam’s appeal with new flavors.
“The SPAM brand continues to innovate and grow its domestic and global fan base and multi-generational appeal,” said the Hormel spokesperson. “SPAM is a cultural connector and conversation driver from Baby Boomers to millennials and Gen Z.
“We are pleased to see the love of this iconically American source of protein continue to grow.”
So while the world wobbles, one thing is for sure: Spam is the food America has fallen in love with — again.
