Sales of Spam rise as consumers trim food costs

[Criden]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080528/ap_on_bi_ge/spam_sales




By EMILY FREDRIX, AP Business Writer Wed May 28, 4:06 PM ET

MILWAUKEE - Love it, hate it or laugh at it — at least it's inexpensive.
ADVERTISEMENT

Sales of Spam — that much maligned meat — are rising as consumers are turning more to lunch meats and other lower-cost foods to extend their already stretched food budgets.

What was once cheeky, silly and the subject of a musical (as Monty Python mocked the meat in a can), is now back on the table as people turn to the once-snubbed meat as costs rise, analysts say.

Food prices are increasing faster than they've risen since 1990, at 4 percent in the U.S. last year, according to the Agriculture Department. Many staples are rising even faster, with white bread up 13 percent last year, bacon up 7 percent and peanut butter up 9 percent.

There's no sign of a slowdown. Food inflation is running at an annualized rate of 6.1 percent as of April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The price of Spam is up too, with the average 12 oz. can costing about $2.62. That's an increase of 17 cents, or nearly 7 percent, from the same time last year. But it's not stopping sales, as the pork meat in a can seems like a good alternative to consumers.

Kimberly Quan, a stay-at-home mom of three who lives just outside San Francisco, has been feeding her family more Spam in the last six months as she tries to make her food budget go further.

She cooks meals like Spam fried rice and Spam sandwiches two or three times a month, up from once a month previously.

Pulling Spam from the shelf prevents last-minute grocery store trips and overspending, said Quan, 38, of Pleasanton, Calif.

"It's canned meat and it's in the cupboard and if everything else is gone from the fridge, it's there," she said.

Spam's maker, Hormel Foods Corp., reported last week that it saw strong sales of Spam in the second quarter, helping push up its profits 14 percent. According to sales information coming from Hormel, provided by The Nielsen Co., Spam sales were up 10.6 percent in the 12-week period ending May 3, compared to last year. In the last 24 weeks, sales were up nearly 9 percent.

The Austin, Minn.-based company, also known for the Jennie-O Turkey Store, has embarked on its first national advertising campaign for the 71-year-old brand in several years. They've credited the sales increase to that, along with new products like individually packaged "Spam Singles" slices. Also helping sales, executives said in an earnings conference call, was the fact that people looking to save money are skipping restaurant meals and eating more at home.

Spam sales are reaching across all spectrums, young and old and rich and poor, said Swen Neufeldt, Hormel's group product manager for the area that includes Spam. Many of the eaters are new to Spam, which was created in 1937 and gained fame as the meat that fed Allied troops during World War II.

"We have significantly increased our household penetration," Neufeldt said. "I think it's a lot of folks that are coming into the brand perhaps for the first time and coming back to the brand."

Hormel began its national advertising campaign, including print and television, for Spam in January. Neufeldt said such campaigns are planned in advance and it wasn't tied to perceived weakness in the economy.

Consumers are quick to realize that meats like Spam and other processed foods can be substituted for costlier cuts as a way of controlling costs, said Marcia Mogelonsky, senior research analyst with Mintel International in Chicago.

These products have protein and decent nutritional value, and they provide some variety to consumers who may be bored because they're eating more at home, she said.

"They might not have Spam at every single meal, but they might supplement a couple of meals," she said.

Consumers are also using more coupons and paying more attention to sales, doing anything they can to save money, she said. You may be able to cut back on your driving due to high gas prices, but you're not going to stop eating because of high food prices, she said.

Quan just bought a couple more cans of Spam on sale and some ramen, the instant noodle dish long a staple on college campuses. Her food and gas budgets are together, so she's had to cut back on food spending while the cost of gas increases. Her favorite Spam meal? Spam and macaroni and cheese. She doesn't skimp on nutrition, though. Quan serves her husband and three children — ranging in age from 4 to 11 — organic vegetables like salads, broccoli and carrots.

"It balances out," she said.

Other companies are seeing similar boosts in their lunch meats. Kraft Foods Inc. reported last month that subsidiary Oscar Mayer, which makes hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts, saw double-digit revenue growth in the previous quarter in its Deli Fresh cold cuts. The company, based in Madison, Wis., has recently introduced new products including family sized deli-meat packs and deli carved, which offers thicker slices of meat.

April Smith has been changing the way she feeds her family in Broken Arrow, Okla., to keep up with rising costs. This summer the 33-year-old administrative assistant will feed her two boys, ages 11 and 8, more ramen for lunch. Normally they eat the noodle soup on Saturdays, but since ramen costs about a dime per pack, they'll get it twice a week. Smith says she'll throw in some leftover frozen vegetables to make it more nutritious.

"Since it's cheap and easy, I figure why not let them eat it twice a week instead of once a week," Smith said.

___

On the Net:

Spam: http://www.spam.com

[NickT]

Spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam....

[Criden]

Spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam....

No spamming!

[Criden]

Oh, and I was wondering--has anyone ever tried Spam?

[Ryudo]

Oh, and I was wondering--has anyone ever tried Spam?

Yup.

Not bad, nothing horrible.

I liked it fried.

[PeterSparker]

Mattbrand is not impressed and won't be swayed ever! EVER!!!

[c. page]

*shudder*

horrible, horrible memories from childhood.

[Criden]

Yup.

Not bad, nothing horrible.

I liked it fried.

Yeah, I think I could only try it cooked. I am interested in trying it sometime because I saw this on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Spammusubi1011.jpg

[Drkemerld73]

Weird Al Yankovic:

Spam in the place where I live (ham and pork)
Think about nutrition, wonder whats inside it now (oh boy)
Spam in my luchbox at work (its the best)
Really makes a darn good sandwhich any way you slice it at all

If youre running low, go to the store
Carry some money to help you buy more
The tab is there to open the can
The can is there to hold in the spam

Oh, spam on the table at home (ham and pork)
Think about selection, are there different flavors now (lets eat)
Spam in my office at work (its the best)
Think about the stuff its made from, wonder if its mystery of meat

If you need a spoon, keep one around
Carry a thermose to help wash it down
Now, if theres some left, dont just throw it out
Use it for spackle or bathroom grout, now

Spam in my pantry at home (have some more)
Think of expiration, better read the lable (oh boy)
Spam breakfast, dinner, or lunch (its the best)
Think about how its been precooked, wonder if Ill just eat it cold

Now, once you start in, you cant put it down
Dont leave it sitting or itll turn brown
The key is going to open the tin
The tin is there to keep the spam in

Oh, spam (spam)
Ham and pork
Think about nutrition, wonder whats inside it now (oh boy)
Spam (spam)
Its the best
Really makes a darn good sandwhich any way you slice it

Spam in the place where I live (have some more)
Think about addiction, wonder if Im a junkie now (lets eat)
Spam in the place where I work (youre obsessed)
Think about the way its processed, wonder if its some kind of meat

Spam in the back of my car (ham and pork)
Spam any place that you are (ham and pork)
The tab is there to open the can (spam any place that you are) (ham and pork)
The can is there to hold in the spam (spam any place that you are) (ham and pork)

:lol:

[twigglet]

I absolutely love spam.

[ClintP]

Oh, and I was wondering--has anyone ever tried Spam?

Yes... My dad likes it and when he would make my lunch as a little tike, he made me spam sandwiches... They are as bad as you could think...

Fried spam is at least slightly edible. We had that from time to time.

[ClintP]

*shudder*

horrible, horrible memories from childhood.

Another Page household ruined by spam? Hold me.

[Kensington]

I've eaten spam for breakfast, lunch and dinner all my life. :thumb:

:shock:

*heart attack*

*stroke*

:dead:

[Servo106]

I buy generic spam.

[Ray G.]

Turkey Spam is actually excellent. It's made out of pure white meat turkey, with no preservatives. And it's fairly low in fat too(although that goes up when you fry it).

As lunchmeats/processed meats go, you can't beat it. And it's the same price as the original.

[Ashwin Pande]

Bloody Vikings!

[Criden]

Turkey Spam is actually excellent. It's made out of pure white meat turkey, with no preservatives. And it's fairly low in fat too(although that goes up when you fry it).

As lunchmeats/processed meats go, you can't beat it. And it's the same price as the original.

For real? That intrigues me.

[Ray G.]

For real? That intrigues me.

Yep, and the consistency's fairly decent. The taste is very clearly turkey, too, unlike the mystery meat taste of regular Spam.

Sometimes I'll just fry it up until the edges are crisp, sometimes I'll chop it up and mix it in with chili or something. It's something I always keep at home. It's not all that easy to find, though. Some supermarkets around here don't carry it, but Wegman's and Shop-Rite do.

[schizorabbit]

Oh, and I was wondering--has anyone ever tried Spam?

Actually, I have fond memories of spam. As a kid, my father regularly made this Filipino dish from it (fried up a can of cubed-cut spam, add a bunch of cabbage leaves to it and a ton of soy sauce, cook it up until the cabbage was soft=pretty tasty with rice). Of course, the dish should never be placed anywhere near someone with high blood pressure. One bite, and someone with high blood pressure would explode all Scanners-style.

[Dave S.]

Yep, and the consistency's fairly decent. The taste is very clearly turkey, too, unlike the mystery meat taste of regular Spam.

Sometimes I'll just fry it up until the edges are crisp, sometimes I'll chop it up and mix it in with chili or something. It's something I always keep at home. It's not all that easy to find, though. Some supermarkets around here don't carry it, but Wegman's and Shop-Rite do.

you have a Wegmans? Man am I jealous. I miss Wegmans so much.

[joespam]

You guys are all creeping me out.

[schizorabbit]

You guys are all creeping me out.

Joe Spam, you da man!!!!!!!!!

[TheHanna]

I was scared for a moment, and very confused.

I read "Spam" as "Sperm".

[PeterSparker]

you have a Wegmans? Man am I jealous. I miss Wegmans so much.Wegmans rules all!!!

I'm happy because I have Whole Foods markets around Manhattan now, but it was tough at first adjusting to life without Wegmans when I moved down to the city from upstate.

[costello]

Oh, and I was wondering--has anyone ever tried Spam?

When I was 6.

It's hard to eat well when the healthy food is so expensive and the junk food is so cheap.

[Ben]

That's pathetic.

[ClintP]

That's pathetic.

You won't think so when they put out the vegan version.

[costello]

Yep, and the consistency's fairly decent. The taste is very clearly turkey, too, unlike the mystery meat taste of regular Spam.

Sometimes I'll just fry it up until the edges are crisp, sometimes I'll chop it up and mix it in with chili or something. It's something I always keep at home. It's not all that easy to find, though. Some supermarkets around here don't carry it, but Wegman's and Shop-Rite do.

Where is Wegman's?

[Ben]

You won't think so when they put out the vegan version.It's delicious:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9964/gimmeleansausagefw1.gif

[ClintP]

It's delicious:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9964/gimmeleansausagefw1.gif

I'd eat that. I am not big on breakfast sausage unless it is nearly burnt to get all the "chewies" What does this taste like/cost?

[Ben]

I'd eat that. I am not big on breakfast sausage unless it is nearly burnt to get all the "chewies" What does this taste like/cost?I know vegans say this a lot, but I'm not lying here: this tastes EXACTLY like fucking sausage! Price is $2-4 per tube depending on where you live (Walmart sometimes have it in stock). It's low calorie and I think it's fat free (I could be wrong about that -- at most it's very low fat).

But anyway, back to Spam!

[ClintP]

I know vegans say this a lot, but I'm not lying here: this tastes EXACTLY like fucking sausage! Price is $2-4 per tube depending on where you live (Walmart sometimes have it in stock). It's low calorie and I think it's fat free (I could be wrong about that -- at most it's very low fat).

But anyway, back to Spam!

I'm not going vegan or anything, but I will look for that at Wallyworld and report back to you. I have never really liked breakfast sausage for some reason.

[Ray G.]

Where is Wegman's?

Woodbridge, a two-minute drive from the mall.

[Ben]

I'm not going vegan or anything, but I will look for that at Wallyworld and report back to you. I have never really liked breakfast sausage for some reason.It doesn't have to have anything to do with being vegan or whatever. It's just a good, healthier sausage alternative.

[ClintP]

It doesn't have to have anything to do with being vegan or whatever. It's just a good, healthier sausage alternative.

Gotcha. And I am going to get some of it. Are the hot dog versions any good?

[LenNWallace]

That's just fucking sad.

[Ben]

Gotcha. And I am going to get some of it. Are the hot dog versions any good?The hot dogs by Lightlife/Smart Foods are pretty blah. The good ones are by Yves. http://www.yvesveggie.com/products/hot-dogs-and-brats.php

And these are really good:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8247/bprodbratsitaliantd2.jpg

[Albert]

The Morningstar Farms are my favorite veggie dogs and taste VERY similar to regular hot dogs if not even better. They're not vegan, though (beat you to it, Ben). They're in the freezer cases at grocery stores.

[schizorabbit]

The hot dogs by Lightlife/Smart Foods are pretty blah. The good ones are by Yves. http://www.yvesveggie.com/products/hot-dogs-and-brats.php

And these are really good:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8247/bprodbratsitaliantd2.jpg

Damn, those look tasty. And it's "Zesty Italian." ZESTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Criden]

WTF guys, back to spam!

[ClintP]

I have a Spam Jam (http://spamjamhawaii.com/) shirt from Hawaii!

[Amos Moses]

Spam rocks. Fuck the haters. I can't wait to be living in a fort made of old furniture and eating Spam with creek water. The way Man was meant to live.

[Patrick J]

Oh, and I was wondering--has anyone ever tried Spam?

Yes.

It tastes kinda like a hot dog that doesn't lie to you...

[Kensington]

Screw it. I'm having SPAM for dinner tonight. With eggs. And ketchup.

Afterwards, I'll check my blood pressure and have a lie down.

[t00lverine]

The hot dogs by Lightlife/Smart Foods are pretty blah. The good ones are by Yves. http://www.yvesveggie.com/products/hot-dogs-and-brats.php

And these are really good:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8247/bprodbratsitaliantd2.jpg

Not a fan. (apologies to Criden)

[Criden]

Screw it. I'm having SPAM for dinner tonight. With eggs. And ketchup.

Afterwards, I'll check my blood pressure and have a lie down.

Do you mix it up with the eggs or eat it like a side item?

[Kedd]

I would have titled this thread: "Spam Sales Rising!" because it sounds a little ominous

[Kensington]

Do you mix it up with the eggs or eat it like a side item?I won't prepare it mixed, but it will inevitably get shmooped all over my plate in various mixtures and combinations. I'll slice up the Spam, and some of those bad boys will find their way into my mouth solo, but most will arrive accompanied by egg and/or toast. :drool:

[FredC]

Bloody Vikings!

I'm saddened that your post was the only post of this ilk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/Rapscallionvawn/spam1.jpg

"What d'you mean 'euaaaagh'?!"

[Ashwin Pande]

I'm saddened that your post was the only post of this ilk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/Rapscallionvawn/spam1.jpg

"What d'you mean 'euaaaagh'?!"

I DON'T LIKE SPAM!!!!

[Criden]

Bought some Turkey Spam today in Ray's honor. I'll let you all know what's what.

[half guard]

I just wanted to say "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!"

[NickT]

I'm saddened that your post was the only post of this ilk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/Rapscallionvawn/spam1.jpg

"What d'you mean 'euaaaagh'?!"
I sang the Spam song!

[ERNIE_E]

Oh, and I was wondering--has anyone ever tried Spam?

As a Filipino, it's a regular staple. You have to fry the shit though. Thin 1/3" thick slices fried, fresh hot white rice and scrambled eggs...so fucking good...

[c. page]

Another Page household ruined by spam? Hold me.

foul, foul stuff.

[ERNIE_E]

For those of you poo-pooing Spam obviously have never had it cooked right.

Anthony Bourdain on his No Reservations – Hawaii episode went to a restaurant that served him six or seven dishes with it and he loved at least five of them.

You have to cut the fat and salt with a starch like rice. And then after that you can put it with anything (again fry it up). My mom used to cook some Cream of Mushroom soup and put lots of fresh stalks of Broccoli in until it's no longer crunchy. Pour over a hot bed of freshly steamed rice, and serve with the spam.

If you go to your average Hawaiian BBQ fast food joints you'll find Spam & Eggs on the menu served over rice.

[A.Huerta]

As a Filipino, it's a regular staple. You have to fry the shit though. Thin 1/3" thick slices fried, fresh hot white rice and scrambled eggs...so fucking good...

I have a friend who is Korean who hooked me up with a meal like you described and it's pretty damn good. Changed my opinion on spam.

[Criden]

I'll be trying spam and eggs over rice soon. Maybe tonight.

[ERNIE_E]

When I went on a vacation to Maui in Feb, we stopped at a grocery to buy food for the week and almost bought one of the 7-10 different flavors of SPAM, never saw them ever. If we weren't all on diets, we would have taken one home. But they've got Smoked, Mesquite, Chipotle, and others I can't remember off the top of my head. But it was sweet to see..

[ERNIE_E]

I have a friend who is Korean who hooked me up with a meal like you described and it's pretty damn good. Changed my opinion on spam.

You're in So. Cal so you should have an L&L Hawaiian BBQ fast food joint around you. You should be able to find it there if you don't want to bring a can home. :D

[ERNIE_E]

I'll be trying spam and eggs over rice soon. Maybe tonight.

Just make sure you fry each side so it gets a nice brown crust on it. Slice it so that there's enough to make it a little crispy on each side. If you cut it too thin then it becomes like crispy bacon, which isn't bad, but not the best. If you cut them too thick, like a half inch or thicker, then it doesn't cook warm all the way through.

No need for oil or butter. It will "self-sear" with all the fat it has.

For those health-conscious might want to pad off the grease before serving with a napkin like bacon.

[Ryan Elliott]

Spam is awesome.

[Ray G.]

How was the Turkey Spam, dude? I had it last night. :D

[xyzzy]

It's okay. Sliced thin and pan fried, it's a bit like bacon. Not a big fan, though.

[Criden]

How was the Turkey Spam, dude? I had it last night. :D

Got to be too late last night. I'm making it for lunch today. I'll definitely let you know.

[adam_warlock_2099]

Deviled Ham is just as cheap and much better. Or sardines in mustard sauce. Both are easy, cheap and good.

[Criden]

Deviled Ham is just as cheap and much better. Or sardines in mustard sauce. Both are easy, cheap and good.

For me it's not really a question of price. When I bought the spam I also got some black forest Boar's Head ham at the deli in the store for a similar price. So this is more just me wanting to try it.

[adam_warlock_2099]

For me it's not really a question of price. When I bought the spam I also got some black forest Boar's Head ham at the deli in the store for a similar price. So this is more just me wanting to try it.

Yeah, I'm that way about deviled ham and sardines, I just like them. But most people find them to be something you eat, because they are cheap.

But personally I just never really dug Spam. Or for that matter Vienna sausages, and a lot of people like them.

[Criden]

How was the Turkey Spam, dude? I had it last night. :D

Okay, just made fried rice with small chunks of turkey spam, a little sesame ginger sauce, and a scrambled egg. It was pretty good. I did go for 1/3-inch thick slices, but they were still a little thick for my tastes. Next time I'd prefer thinner slices. So, I used 2 1/3-inch thick slices, which means I have a lot of Spam still left over. Which means this stuff is an insane deal. My whole meal cost...let's see...25 cents? Good deal, literally.

[ERNIE_E]

Okay, just made fried rice with small chunks of turkey spam, a little sesame ginger sauce, and a scrambled egg. It was pretty good. I did go for 1/3-inch thick slices, but they were still a little thick for my tastes. Next time I'd prefer thinner slices. So, I used 2 1/3-inch thick slices, which means I have a lot of Spam still left over. Which means this stuff is an insane deal. My whole meal cost...let's see...25 cents? Good deal, literally.

hmmm I may try the Turkey for health purposes. I don't think my body's ready for a whole can as I'm really trying to lower the Cholesterol and lose weight. I think I have an occasional Spam & Eggs plate at a nearby place for lunch once a month but there's only 2-3 slices there. I think my heart palpitates afterwards and it freaks me out, so if the turkey doesn't taste that much different, I'm game to try.

I don't cook it in chunks though, gotta slice it and dry it like bacon, get a nice crisp on each side. Feed a family for $1 though.

[Criden]

Bump for Ray.

[Ray G.]

Good to hear, man. That's an interesting recipe.

I often cube it, fry it, then toss it in chili. It's pretty versatile.

[Criden]

Good to hear, man. That's an interesting recipe.

I often cube it, fry it, then toss it in chili. It's pretty versatile.

Thanks! And yep, it is.

Cool. I'll have to try that. I haven't eaten it since...yet.

[Ray G.]

They discontinued Turkey Spam.

Tis a sad day. :(

[arthurloewenkamp]

Yeah, I think I could only try it cooked. I am interested in trying it sometime because I saw this on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Spammusubi1011.jpg

I love spam musubi's. I had one this weekend in Waikiki at the abc store.

[~Hernandez~]

On a related note, I was at Wal-mart the other day and noticed the price of tuna jumped up. 96 cents a can for starkist. it went up about 30 cents...about 40%. Man that hurts.