Who knew there were so many types of SPAM? Classic, Turkey, Cheese, Bacon, Hickory Smoke, Garlic, Less Sodium, Hot and Spicy, Golden Honey Grail, and Spread – these people take their meat seriously. And who knew the most requested product from the Hawaii Food Bank is a can of SPAM?

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii set the stage for the 7th Annual SPAM JAM Festival to benefit the Hawaii Food Bank. Live music, SPAM merchandise and thousands of Hawaiian-shirt clad revelers made this an event to remember. Who cares that there are 15.2 grams of fat in each slice? It’s a Hawaiian delicacy.

Area restaurants cooked up their best SPAM concoctions for the feast: SPAM Katsu, SPAM Poke, SPAM Ravioli, SPAM with noodles, SPAM Nachos, and my personal favorite – SPAM Burger Babies from Cheeseburger In Paradise, dripping with BBQ sauce and pineapple. YUM!

The best part – aside from the Burger Babies? Over 25,000 people attended and the Hawaii Food Bank was given 3,500 pounds of Hormel product to fill their coffers in addition to the hundreds of cans donated by the festival-goers.

A SPAM-win situation for everyone!