The "Spam Saga" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just stuck a few pieces of SPAM on the stove for a sandwich for lunch.  You know what SPAM is, don't you?  It's the stuff in the dark blue metal can with the word SPAM in a bright yellow color with a picture of a SPAM burger under the name SPAM.  It's one of my favorite sandwiches for lunch or even supper when I don't feel like making a mess in the kitchen.  About the only problem with having a SPAM sandwich is the fact that it has a big bunch of fat, cholestrial, and sodium in it.  I know it can't be good for me, but neither is eating a quart of ice cream or a couple dozen of sugar cookies for dessert.  Actually, ...SPAM is nothing more than pork and how bad can eating pork be?   It is said it fueled countless soldiers during World War II, inspired new international cuisine, spawned a museum and even led to the creation of a digital term people encounter on a daily basis.  And, nearly 90 years after it was introduced, it still commands a global army of fans.  Spam is a strong seller since it is an affordable protein that works in a range of recipes.  Its unique history as a ration staple during WWII helped cultivate a nostalgic appeal for the canned meat in many corners of the globe.  I love to tell my SPAM stories much better than my tunafish stories.  The company known today as Hormel Foods was founded as a meatpacking operation in Austin, Texas in 1891 with a focus on processing hogs into bacon, ham and a variety of other pork products.  By the 1920s Jay Hormel, son of company founder George A. Hormel, was on a quest to diversify the company's offerings beyond the often volatile world of commodity meat sales.  He looked at the growing popularity of time-saving products that were sold in the center of grocery stores.  So, he came up with a product that could be featured in the center of the store.  Hormel was first to develop a canned ham and later introduced a line of canned chicken.  Then along came the Great Depression which slowed sales. Sales have returned and SPAM has grown in popularity.   Makes for a quick meal and can be eaten with or without something on it.  Carol and I try to make sure we have a can or two in the pantry at all times.  An easy meal and it always tastes good.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.