Monday July 15, 5:18 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Hormel Foods
Six Billionth Can of SPAM Luncheon Meat Produced
AUSTIN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 2002--In 1937, the first cans of SPAM® luncheon meat began to appear on the shelves of grocery stores in the United States.
Sixty-five years later in July 2002, the six billionth can of this convenient, great-tasting canned meat was produced. This 12-ounce can of SPAM® was prepared at the Austin (Minn.) plant of Hormel Foods, a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products.
Source: Hormel Foods
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The popularity of SPAM® luncheon meat has grown rapidly over the years because of its versatility, high quality and taste. The one billionth can was produced in 1959 and the second billionth can was made in 1970, followed by the third, fourth and fifth billionth cans in 1980, 1986 and 1994, respectively.
SPAM® is produced in the U.S. at Hormel Foods plants in Austin and Fremont, Neb., which are capable of producing a combined total of more than 44,000 cans per hour. SPAM® is also produced in three foreign countries, including Denmark, Korea and the Philippines.
A can of SPAM® is consumed in the U.S. every 3.1 seconds. On a per capita basis, residents of Hawaii, Alaska, Arkansas, Texas and Alabama are the most frequent consumers of SPAM® in the U.S. Hawaii leads the way with 6.7 million cans sold annually, which amounts to 5.5 cans per year per Hawaiian. Today, SPAM® is sold in 41 countries and is trademarked in more than 100 nations on six continents.
The choices of SPAM® have continued to expand over the years to meet the desires of consumers. In 1962, a seven-ounce can began to be produced and, in 1971, SPAM® smoke flavored was introduced. In 1986, SPAM® less sodium was unveiled, in 1992, SPAM® lite entered the marketplace and, in 1999, SPAM® oven roasted turkey was introduced. In 2000, SPAM® hot & spicy began to appear in supermarkets in the South and Southeast U.S.
An entire 16,500-square-foot museum, which opened in September 2001 in Austin, is dedicated to SPAM®, and a gift shop at the museum sells a wide selection of SPAM brand items. Much more information about this popular food icon can be found on the Internet at www.spam.com, including a schedule of appearances across the U.S. by the company's three SPAMMOBILE(TM) vehicles, which serve miniature SPAMBURGER® hamburgers.
About Hormel Foods
Hormel Foods, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace. In January 2001 and 2002, Hormel Foods was named one of "The 400 Best Companies in America" by Forbes magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, and foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value.
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