| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
 Posted - 05/29/2008 : 00:09:16
|
Just saw this on Yahoo...
You must be logged in to see this link.
By EMILY FREDRIX, AP Business Writer
MILWAUKEE - Love it, hate it or laugh at it — at least it's inexpensive.
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.
|
Visit my new preparedness site: Preparedness.cc/SurvivalPrep.net
--Latest article: Stocking up on spices to keep food preps lively
---------------
Be prepared...and prepared to help: http://www.survivalblog.com/charity.html
Are you ready spiritually for hard times? http://www.jesusfreak.com/rapture.asp |
|
|
Cerulean
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 07:44:17
|
SPAM was a Depression-era innovation, a ploy by Hormel to market reprocessed leftovers. They found a major buyer during WWII.. the US military. After the war, ex-GI's bought and cooked it at home, and it became a camping staple.
You must be logged in to see this link.
Borne from hard times, Spam is certainly well-suited for such economic climates. |
Sorting Map
2010 First Finds Contest
Are you a Buffalo Hunter?
Wanna take seignorage away from the Fed? Spend *any* coins!
We cannot afford this government.
Cerulean's Standing Offer: $3/lb shipped for foreign coins |
 |
|
|
horgad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1641 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 08:38:25
|
"The price of Spam is up too, with the average 12 oz. can costing about $2.62."
That is $3.49 a pound. People are being goofy if they are buying it because they think it is cheap. Maybe the truth is that sales are up because it is hoardable. |
|
|
|
starwarsgeek171
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
651 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 09:34:26
|
| Yuck! |
|
|
|
NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 17:59:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by starwarsgeek171
Yuck!
Exactly. My Grandpa used to fry it.... I can still smell it. I would have to be pretty hungry....
Deal |
Live free or die.
Plain and simple.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams |
|
|
|
HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 18:14:44
|
And just think of all the poor helpless little spamimals they have to slaughter to make it.  |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
|
|
|
Ant
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
894 Posts |
 Posted - 05/29/2008 : 20:10:31
|
All right, don't y'all start acting like you've never had some Spam before. Nothing like a Spam sandwich for a hangover.
You've all had it and loved it. You're not fooling me. I guess you're also going to deny ever eating deviled ham, too, huh? |
Lovely dimes, the liveliest coin, the one that really jingles. --Truman Capote
Coins are the metallic footprints of the history of nations. --William H. Woodin |
|
|
|
NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2008 : 07:00:20
|
Don't drink, no hangover. I tried Spam. I didn't like it, but at least I tried it. Deviled ham, gross as well. I'm a steak and potato, with a little sea food mixed in, type of guy.
Deal |
Live free or die.
Plain and simple.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams |
|
|
|
Know Common Cents
Penny Pincher Member
195 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2008 : 17:18:53
|
Hmmmmmmm. Eating Spam or a can of Mighty Dog beef with gravy. Tough choice.
Hmmmmmmm. Which has the most protein?
Hmmmmmmm. Perhaps a combination shot for a mighty fine casserole.
Hmmmmmmm. Might be time to invite the nosey neighbor over for dinner soon.
|
Here in Wisconsin, we have some of the highest property and gasoline taxes in the US. We're squeezed so much, I have to make my daughter wear penny boxes for shoes. At least she has an endless supply. |
|
|
|
Kurr
1000+ Penny Miser Member
2906 Posts |
|
|
penniesmakemedizzy
Penny Pincher Member
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2008 : 20:28:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ant
All right, don't y'all start acting like you've never had some Spam before. Nothing like a Spam sandwich for a hangover.
You've all had it and loved it. You're not fooling me. I guess you're also going to deny ever eating deviled ham, too, huh?
I've have not ate spam ever. How does it taste like? |
|
|
|
Ant
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2008 : 20:42:00
|
Kind of like dull bacon.  |
Lovely dimes, the liveliest coin, the one that really jingles. --Truman Capote
Coins are the metallic footprints of the history of nations. --William H. Woodin |
|
|
|
HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2008 : 00:15:50
|
| *Picturing Vikings singing.. SPAM, SPAM, SPAM!!!* |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
|
|
|
natsb88
Administrator
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2008 : 00:32:15
|
C'mon now, Spam isn't that bad 
I watched a Modern Marvels once about lunch meat. I have to say, the stuff that goes into hot dogs, liverwurst, and head cheese makes that salty-block-of-meat-in-a-can look downright delicious! 
To be honest I'd take a Spam dish over most seafood, Chinese food, or Salisbury "steak" any day. Other than that, I'm not very picky. |
Nate
The Copper Cave
|
|
|
|
Flbandit
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
851 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2008 : 18:33:03
|
| We had the "Spammobile" at the local Strawberry Festival last Feb. They were giving away samples of Spam on a stick. MMM, I got two! |
Are you throwing that out? |
|
|
|
NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2008 : 19:18:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by natsb88
C'mon now, Spam isn't that bad
I watched a Modern Marvels once about lunch meat. I have to say, the stuff that goes into hot dogs, liverwurst, and head cheese makes that salty-block-of-meat-in-a-can look downright delicious!
To be honest I'd take a Spam dish over most seafood, Chinese food, or Salisbury "steak" any day. Other than that, I'm not very picky.
I say no to Spam, hot dogs, bologna, (yes I had to sing the song to spell it), internal organs, brains, eyes, reproductive organs, and any animal foot, tongue, or tail. I try to eat things that I can identify what animal it came from. Most of the time....
Deal
p.s. Seafood should be cooked.... |
Live free or die.
Plain and simple.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams |
|
|
|
pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2209 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2008 : 20:01:22
|
I never tried regular spam but I have eaten turkey spam, the turkey spam its not bad as far as processed turkey meat is concerned.
You would not have believed me if I had not found the website
You must be logged in to see this link.
Spam fan club
and people think penny hoarders are odd balls. |
Edited by - pencilvanian on 06/01/2008 20:08:24 |
|
|
|
horgad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1641 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2008 : 14:34:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by penniesmakemedizzy
quote:
Originally posted by Ant
All right, don't y'all start acting like you've never had some Spam before. Nothing like a Spam sandwich for a hangover.
You've all had it and loved it. You're not fooling me. I guess you're also going to deny ever eating deviled ham, too, huh?
I've have not ate spam ever. How does it taste like?
Spam is basically ham pieces that they pressed back together. So it tastes much like ham, but with about 3 times the salt and a smoother less natural texture.
It is no worse than eating a hotdog or a sausage or a slice of bologna or any other highly processed meat, but for $3.49 a pound you might as well buy some better meat unless you need it for camping or something. |
|
|
|
HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2008 : 16:08:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by penniesmakemedizzy
I've have not ate spam ever. How does it taste like?
Well, it don't taste just like chicken!
There must be some serious inflation if Spam is up to $3.49 a pound. You can buy real ham or several other meats for less than that. Spam used to be a cheap meat to stretch your budget.. kinda like all that top ramen we ate in college. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
|
|
|
Ant
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2008 : 20:00:30
|
No doubt! You can catch pork tenderloin on sale here for $1.99 or $2.19 a pound when you buy the whole loin.
Chicken thighs and legs are still cheap. You can barbecue 'em, bake 'em and make chicken salad, cook 'em off and make chicken pot pie, chicken casserole, shred it up and put it on top of homemade BBQ pizza . . .
But chicken wings are really expensive, for some reason, considering the fact they have so little meat on them. Not the drumettes, the real wing things. We were going to get some last week and were like, whoa  . |
Lovely dimes, the liveliest coin, the one that really jingles. --Truman Capote
Coins are the metallic footprints of the history of nations. --William H. Woodin |
|
|
|
HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2008 : 21:17:12
|
| Maybe the wings are high because they figure they are a snack food. Just get the Boneless, skinless chicken breasts.. they are only $1.99 if you catch them on sale. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
|
|
|
redneck
1000+ Penny Miser Member
1273 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 05:34:58
|
I found this today;
Look around. The evidence of a withering economy is everywhere. In "good times" consumers shun the canned meat aisle altogether, but no more. Today, Spam sales are soaring; grocery stores can't keep it on the shelves. Everyone is looking for cheaper ways to feed their families. The Labor Dept. assures us that core-inflation is only 4 per cent, but everybody knows it's load of malarkey. Food prices are going through the roof. White bread is up 13 percent, bacon is up 7 percent and peanut butter is up 9 percent. Inflation is rampant and there's no end in sight. The dollar is closing in on the peso and working people are struggling just to get by. The bottom line is that more and more people in "the richest country on earth" are now surviving on processed pig-meat. That says it all.
That says to much... |
|
|
|
HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 10:21:33
|
At $3.49 a pound, I for one and going to stick to unprocessed pig-meat.
To quote the great Homer.. "Mmmmmmmmmmm.. pork chops." |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
|
|
|
pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2209 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 18:19:02
|
quote:
Originally posted by redneck
I found this today;
Look around. The evidence of a withering economy is everywhere. In "good times" consumers shun the canned meat aisle altogether, but no more.
Today, Spam sales are soaring; grocery stores can't keep it on the shelves. Everyone is looking for cheaper ways to feed their families. The Labor Dept. assures us that core-inflation is only 4 per cent, but everybody knows it's load of malarkey. Food prices are going through the roof. White bread is up 13 percent, bacon is up 7 percent and peanut butter is up 9 percent. Inflation is rampant and there's no end in sight. The dollar is closing in on the peso and working people are struggling just to get by. The bottom line is that more and more people in "the richest country on earth" are now surviving on processed pig-meat. That says it all.
That says to much...
To be successful, one must be a contrarian at times.
When everybody else is doing one thing the wise are doing the opposite.
While the sheeple are buying canned meat thinking they are getting a bargian, those who check the price per pound realize they are better off buying fresh or frozen meat.
Bread goes up in price, maybe one in 20 consumers will buy flour, sugar, yeast and a baking pan and bake their own bread for less.
Peanut butter is going up, maybe one in 50 will buy a food processor and peanuts and peanut oil and try their hand at making it at home (how did people get peanut butter before it was sold in stores?)
Any other ideas out there to stretch the food budget? |
|
|
|
Ant
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 19:33:38
|
| I have two great bread recipes, if anyone's interested -- one for slicing bread and one for pizza dough. Incredibly cheap and incredibly *good*. |
Lovely dimes, the liveliest coin, the one that really jingles. --Truman Capote
Coins are the metallic footprints of the history of nations. --William H. Woodin |
|
|
|
Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 21:41:42
|
quote:
Originally posted by pencilvanian
[br
Any other ideas out there to stretch the food budget?
Eat squirrels They're everywhere! And you can take them out very discreetly with a good pellet gun, even in residential areas. 
BTW, before any animal lovers get on my case, ....they are rodents, cute maybe, but still rodents. Anyone have a good recipe for seagulls? (rats with wings, in my book) |
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Sales of Spam rise as consumers trim food costs
Forum Locked
