Recession Boosts Demand For Spam

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Desperate times call for desperate measures. Spam, that blue and yellow can of "something posing as meat," is making a fashionable return to the American grocery market. This original 1937 concoction of meat, said to be made of shoulder of pork and ham (the acronym for Spam), is putting the Hormel Foods Corporation's factory on overtime.

Following the deepening recession, demand for the blue and yellow can has been steadily rising since July according to the NY Times.

Workers have been producing nearly 150,000 cans of Spam each day, seven days a week. Selling at about $2.40 for a 12 ounce can, Spam makes for an attractive grocery choice for people who have cut back on spending, despite warnings that it is high in fat and sodium.

Spam has been an iconic staple of American food culture with the help of the British comedy group, Monthy Python, and propelled the pink meat to stardom. Achieving such an iconic status, Spam Nation has developed a cult following of Spam enthusiasts, with menus offering nothing but Spam-laced dishes. Even its official website plays upon its cult following by allowing web surfers to virtually visit a Spam Museum, fan club, and heaven forbid, even their very own Spam Mobile (currently not on tour).

Whether Spam would be a good food choice to rely on during hard financial times will remain to be seen. For certain, this mystery meat will still be around long after the recession is over -- and still be fresh.