Spam Turns Serious and Hormel Turns Out More (economic bright spot)

NYT - Business ^ | 11/14/08 | Andrew Martin

[xtinct]

The economy is in tatters and, for millions of people, the future is uncertain. But for some employees at the Hormel Foods Corporation plant here, times have never been better. They are working at a furious pace and piling up all the overtime they want.

Jerry’s Other Place sells a Spamburger for $6.29. The workers make Spam, perhaps the emblematic hard-times food in the American pantry.

Through war and recession, Americans have turned to the glistening canned product from Hormel as a way to save money while still putting something that resembles meat on the table. Now, in a sign of the times, it is happening again, and Hormel is cranking out as much Spam as its workers can produce.

In a factory that abuts Interstate 90, two shifts of workers have been making Spam seven days a week since July, and they have been told that the relentless work schedule will continue indefinitely.

[xtinct]

meat w/a pause button... scary!!

Obama responsible for Spam and Velveta rejuvination!!

[trisham]

Didn’t both of these products originate during the great depression?

[xtinct]

article says they did...

[traderrob6]

A heckuva lot of people in this country just plain LIKE Spam. My wife is one of them.

[trisham]

I only read the excerpt. :)

[HoosierHawk]

[July 4th]

During World War II, Spam became a staple for Allied troops overseas. They introduced it to local residents, and it remains popular in many parts of the world where the troops were stationed.

I've never had it myself, but I have a friend from the Philippines who has Spam and eggs for breakfast on a pretty regular basis. The US military introduced it there, and it REALLY took hold.

[libertarian27]

I bought many cans of Spam a few weeks ago - just in case...

Product has a real long shelf life and it’s going to stay there on the shelf - just in case...

[Phoenix11]

I remember reading somewhere a long while back that Hawaii consumes the most spam of any state. I always thought that was kinda funny and odd at the same time.

[Allegra]

Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam

Lovely Spam!

[blam]

Spam fed the Russian Army for the 2nd half of WW2. There is a Spam festival in Russia yearly.

[mplsconservative]

A heckuva lot of people in this country just plain LIKE Spam. My wife is one of them.

I notice you didn't say YOU like spam. LOL

Sometimes there is nothing better than crispy fried spam on toast with a smear of Hellman's mayo.

You and my husband can go out for a burger somewhere. We girls can have Spam sammies. :)

[blam]

"I bought many cans of Spam a few weeks ago - just in case..."

I bet Spam sales volume could be used a an economic predicter. Tough times ahead?

Glenn Beck said on his radio progam one day this week that he pays a small fortune for economic/financial advice...he said: "Please, go buy food, NOW!"

[TADSLOS]

A typical Hawaiian plate lunch includes a healthy slice of Spam.

[Dick Bachert]

Yes, Spam and Velveeta are a treat for some folks. But I’d bet you’ll see a SERIOUS spike in coronary artery disease within a few years. Maybe even enough to take down Obama’s universal health care system.

Euthanasia. Yeah, EUTHANASIA, that’s the ticket.

[pennyfarmer]

I have always found SPAM to be costly for the amount of meat you get. I generally buy the generic SPAM at Walmart.

I have to agree that fried SPAM is delicious, and my family loves it.

Growing up I always hated SPAM because my parents never cooked it and I could not get over the icky jelly all over a cold lump of meat. Come to think of it my parents never could cook very well.

[xtinct]

ewwww....

I'm all about grilled chicken salad...

[yorkie]

Mystery Meat Soup for that little extra 'protein'

[Fletcher J]

Oddly, name-brand spam is not really all that cheap when you price it by the pound... There are lots of meats cheaper than spam.

Here’s a recipe for everyone, to help you get through the 4 lean years of Obamanomics:

RECIPE: My wife has made spam cassarole for years. Slice spam into 2x2 squares a quarter inch thick. Slice white potatoes thin (about 5 times as much potatoes as spam), mix both in a bowl with some margarine and seasoning (we use Morton’s “Nature’s Seasoning”), pour into a buttered cassarole dish and bake at 350 until the potatoes are tender and it’s browned on top. I teased her about it for years, but it’s surprisingly good.

Fletcher J

[xtinct]

lmao Yorkie!!!