Omigosh, teriyaki Spam straight from the can.
Yes, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods LLC has formulated Spam Teriyaki and has chosen Hawaii to be its exclusive launch point, TheBuzz has learned.
The first shipments are here, and the purple-labeled cans picturing Spam musubi on the front and Spam-egg-bacon musubi on the back (oh, and brand mascot Sir Can-A-Lot on both sides), are making their way to store shelves via the usual distribution channels.
One kind of obvious question is, What took them so long? It seems a no-brainer.
Then again, maybe Hawaii and its eating habits really aren’t the center of the universe. While we local folks take teriyaki for granted, it still is considered an exotic flavor to many on the mainland.
Among U.S. states, Hawaii is the top consumer of Spam, consuming five cans per person per year. (Guam bests us by far, at 24.1 cans per person per year, according to National Brand Manager Nicole Behne.)
By way of background, Behne explained that for Spam’s 75th anniversary in 2012, Hormel rolled out black pepper-flavored and jalapeno-flavored Spam. While the black-pepper variety already had been available in Hawaii, the company introduced it and the jalapeno flavor nationwide for its anniversary.
"Those were the two first items launched that were new to the line since 2001, when we launched the Hot and Spicy Spam," she said.
While she has worked at Hormel for 13 years, she joined the Spam brand team three years ago and wanted to "shake things up."
So, people in Hawaii will be the first "that can purchase it exclusively," she said. "We’ll be hitting the stores within the next few days."
About 350 people in Hawaii did get a sneak preview of the teriyaki flavor at the Waikiki Spam Jam in April, "and the response was fabulous, so that gave us the confirmation to move forward and launch it," Behne said.
Mainland folks will get their chance eventually, as it is Hormel’s desire "to educate the mainland about how wonderful and convenient" Spam is. Behne is well aware that Hawaii people take Spam musubi everywhere, eating it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks at soccer practice and, as you know, just about anyplace we go where we might need a snack to tide us over to the next meal. "We’re excited to see how well the product does there," she said.
But wait, there’s more, to use de rigueur infomercial parlance.
The Hawaii launch of teriyaki Spam brings with it a chance for someone to win a year’s use of a Ford Flex midsize SUV, which has been temporarily vinyl-wrapped to look like a can of teriyaki Spam, said Behne.
It also has been stuffed with a certain number of Spam cans, and the person who comes closest to guessing the number without going over could win use of the vehicle.
The contest begins Saturday with an 11 a.m.-to-1 p.m. kickoff at Wet ‘N’ Wild in Kapolei, but additional events offering chances to win will be announced by KRTR-FM 96.3, KCCN-FM 100.3, KINE-FM 105.1 and KPHW-FM 104.3.
Entrants must be Hawaii residents at least 18 years old to participate.
To keep things Ford Flex-ible, people are free to submit entries at Honolulu Ford at 1370 N. King St. during business hours.
The 10 contestants with Spam-can-counts closest to, but not more than, the number of cans in the vehicle will be given keys at the official contest finale at the dealership on Oct. 27.
The person whose key opens the Ford Flex wins it. The Spam-can vinyl wrap is not included, however, Behne said.
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On the Net:
» www.hawaiispamcan.com
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Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
