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, canned meat was produced. This 12-ounce can of SPAM® was prepared at the Austin plant of Hormel Foods, a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products.
The popularity of SPAM® luncheon meat has grown rapidly over the years. 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, Nebraska, 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.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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