Spam makes a comeback, as pinched shoppers embrace the cheap canned meat

Cash-strapped Americans are rediscovering a Depression-era pantry staple — Spam — and it’s flying off shelves.With global turmoil rattling nerves, employment uncertainty looming, and wallet-busting grocery bills hitting home, anxious shoppers are turning to the canned meat for sustenance and savings, just as they’ve always done in times of hardship, according to Hormel Foods, who claim the proof is in their booming sales.“Domestically, the brand has achieved record net sales in nine of the last 10 years, steadily growing its fan base in the US,” a Hormel spokesperson told The Post.

“This decade of growth is evidence that new on-trend flavors and the brand’s accessibility and versatility in the kitchen are connecting with today’s consumer in exciting and fun new ways.”The price is hard to beat.One can runs just over $4 at Walmart and other big-name chain stores.The pre-cooked canned meat is made mainly from pork and ham, mixed with salt, water, sugar, and preservatives.

It hit shelves on July 5, 1937, to help fill bellies during the Great Depression, according to its website, then went on to earn legendary status during World War II when soldiers relied on it as a shelf-stable source of protein.It was popular in the UK during war rationing.Later, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher called it a “wartime delicacy.”Across the country, families are rediscovering the many faces of Spam — fried Spam, Spam sandwiches, Spam and eggs, and even Spam fried rice.

TikTok chefs are finding news ways to whip up Spam recipes all for younger followers, who turn to tiktok.com/discover/spam-recipe for inspiration in the kitchen.Of course, the old jokes about the blue-and-yellow cans are still making the rounds.An X commenter wrote: “Hormel Foods made their first batch of Spam in 1937.They have announced they will be making their second batch later this week.

“Most consumer don’t really know what SPAM stands for.Many speculate it could be “sho...