George Bernard Shaw once said, “There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” No truer words were ever spoken. Food is needed to keep humans moving, functioning. Food may also be craved, savored and enjoyed. Americans love their food. From cooking contests to eating contests, there is no end to talking, reading or discussing food options. There are days, weeks and months devoted to specific food items.
America was once known as the great melting pot due to the tidal wave of immigration. The country could now be referred to as a melting pot due to the flood of food influences. Cultural, regional and dietary cooking practices make indulging possibilities endless.
In most countries there are a handful of days commemorating sacred or seasonal staples often correlating with a national or religious holiday. While the rest of the world has set aside a dozen or so days out of the year, Americans have set aside close to 200 days to celebrate various foods, dishes and drinks. This doesn’t include the weeks or months set aside for celebration of more favored dishes and drinks.
The entire month of August, all 31 days, are devoted to celebrating national treasures such as peaches, panini and the beloved sandwich. While the month revolves around these special food items, there are lesser known food “holidays” in which Americans take a specific day to laud such delicacies as the raspberry cream pie (August 1), s’mores (August 10) and for those who choose to imbibe, whiskey sours (August 29).
More than half of the holidays were created by marketing groups to promote certain products, but there is presidential backing to a couple of these commemorations. President Reagan declared June 25 National Catfish Day and the third Sunday in July National Ice Cream Day. There is no documentation on whether he declared National Jelly Bean Day, which falls on April 22. President Bill Clinton set aside an entire week in February devoted to wine. There are close to two dozen days devoted to peanuts and peanut products; however, there is nothing connecting President Jimmy Carter to declaring any of those days as special.
It isn’t just presidents that get the pleasure of declaring national food days; other government officials get the honors as well. In 2003 Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell declared April 26 as National Pretzel Day. Since Pennsylvania is the leading pretzel manufacturer in the country, it’s only fitting they get to choose the pretzel day. If one day devoted to pretzels isn’t enough, September 26 is also considered National Pretzel Day.
National Doughnut Day is June 5. The tradition started in 1938 by the Salvation Army to raise funds for those in need, but the Salvation Army and the doughnut go back farther than that. Volunteers set up service “huts” along the front lines during WWI,to make the fried treats for the troops, giving them a little taste of home and raising morale. That is how the service men in WWI got the nickname “Doughboys.” This year, in honor of National Doughnut Day, area King Sooper stores reduced their donut prices to .25 cents apiece. Winchell’s Doughnuts in Longmont gave away free doughnuts to anyone that asked.
August holds the title of National Sandwich Month, most likely due to picnicking and the warmer summer weather. National Sandwich Day is held on November 3, the birth date of the man that invented the lunch staple. John Montague, Fourth Earl of Sandwich, is said to have invented the sandwich, piling meat and vegetables between slices of bread, to save time during a 24-hour poker game.
Details on Cheese Sacrifice Day ( July 29), on the other hand, are a bit on the sketchy side; something about ridding the house of mice and giving up the cheese. No matter what day of the year, cheese mongers around Boulder County would be happy to discuss any cheddar related questions that arise, whether it has to do with mice or not. Check out the local cheese shops on National Cheese Lover’s Day ( January 20), there may be some sweet deals on some sharp cheese. The cheese experts may even feel compelled to discuss the blue variety on October 9, Moldy Cheese Day. If Bleu Cheese is not what this day is referring to, maybe they can explain why.
Is it coincidence August celebrates peaches for an entire month and the 16th annual Lafayette Peach Festival hits downtown August 15? People from all over may stock up on peaches in time for Eat a Peach Day (August 22) and National Peach Pie Day (August 24).
Some of these food days derive from religious practices. No, not International Bacon Day on August 31, though some Americans do love their bacon so much that eating it is a religious experience. International Pancake Day falls on Shrove (or Fat) Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. The age old tradition of indulging before the fasting season may be seen in modern times at any IHOP on International Pancake Day. The restaurant serves free pancakes to those feeling the need to indulge. For those that missed out on International Pancake Day, take heart, National Pancake Day is September 26.
With the August heat, all thoughts turn to creamy, cool ice cream treats. Starting with National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on August 2, Root Beer Float Day on August 6, and Frozen Custard Day on August 8. This is in preparation for Banana Split Day on August 10. Don’t forget Creamsicle Day on August 14 and Soft Serve Ice Cream Day on August 18. Closing out the month is National Spumoni Day on August 22, a colorful, flavorful ice cream often infused with bits of fruits and nuts.
A couple of the more obscure, questionable food celebrations have their own day as well. August 29 has been declared National Lemon Juice Day. Studies show the many health benefits to the consumption of lemon and lemon juice, antioxidants, vitamin C, flavinoids, etc. November 9 is National Scrapple Day. Scrapple is chopped pig scraps such as heart, fat, liver and skin that would have been thrown out. It’s mixed with whatever flour is on hand and spices. It’s then shaped into a loaf, sliced, pan fried and served with syrup. And while most would agree chicken soup cures what ails you, November 12 is considered Chicken Soup for the Soul Day, a day to celebrate the soul and be grateful for life. Eating homemade chicken soup that day would be an added bonus.
At the end of the year, December 30 is known at National Bicarbonate Soda Day. Bicarbonate soda is good for upset stomachs when one overeats on a food holiday. It is the perfect day to raise a glass, remember food celebrations of the past year and look forward to new eats in the coming months. Cheers!
