NATIONAL SANDWICH MONTH

August is National Sandwich Month. The basic concept of the sandwich long predates the Earl of Sandwich, the real-life 18th-century aristocrat who reportedly loved them, and gave them their modern name. The ancient Jewish sage Hillel the Elder is said to have wrapped lamb-meat and bitter herbs between two pieces of matzoh (unleavened bread) during Passover. Early versions of the “wrap” have also been found in Asia and Africa. The sandwich grew in popularity among aristocrats in the 18th and 19th centuries. Legend has it they were popularly shared, held with one hand, during late-night gaming and drinking.

The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread Paperback – April 5, 2011

by Susan Russo  (Author), Matt Armendariz  (Photographer)
The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread Paperback – April 5, 2011

by Susan Russo  (Author), Matt Armendariz  (Photographer)

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a sandwich must have at least 35% cooked meat and be no more than 50% bread. The average American child eats about 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before finishing high school. Astronaut John Young once smuggled a corned beef sandwich on board a Gemini flight. Submarine sandwiches are called “hoagies” in Philadelphia and “heroes” in New York. The Dagwood sandwich was first introduced by Chic Young, creator of the Blondie strip, who described the sandwich as a “mountainous pile of dissimilar leftovers.”

Stasher 100% Silicone Reusable Food Bag (Bundle, Aqua)
by Stasher
Stasher 100% Silicone Reusable Food Bag (Bundle, Aqua)

by Stasher


SANDWICH HACKS: HOW TO ENJOY NATIONAL SANDWICH MONTH

  • When making a BLT, weave the bacon together to avoid the bacon from falling out when you bite into it.
  • Worried about “fridge thieves” sealing your sandwich at the office? Get a Moldy Sandwich Bag. The bag isn’t really moldy; it only gives the appearance your lunch looks moldy and spoiled.
  • Instead of bread or toast, make your breakfast sandwiches with waffles.
  • Turn your freshly-baked bread over and slice it on the soft side. That helps prevent squishing the bread.

HISTORY

In 1952, the Wheat Flour Institute established August as National Sandwich Month. Newspapers across the country filled their pages with recipes fit for the Earl of Sandwich and picnics alike. The annual observance continues today.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Try a new sandwich recipe every week and share them on social media! Get some of our family favorites from our recipes page. Wraps, Panninis, and family dinners can be found here. Use #NationalSandwichMonth to post your creations.

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NATIONAL EGG DAY

June 3rd is time to get a crack on the annual observance of National Egg Day!

The nutrient-rich food has gone back and forth with science and nutritionists over the decades as to just how many eggs are too many for a healthy diet. However, one egg provides an excellent source of protein and vitamin D. At 75 calories and 5 grams of fat, it’s an easy choice to satisfy hunger, too. Eggs are easily seasoned and pair well with vegetables to increase the nutritional value of a meal.

Eggs are an essential ingredient to baked goods and are a part of our everyday diets. There’s so much to celebrate in these small packages.

Don’t forget National Egg Month, Better Breakfast Month, and Eggs Benedict Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEggDay

Fried, scrambled, poached, hard boiled, over easy, or whatever way you prefer, breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner, this versatile food is a perfect fit. They even make a great late night dinner.

Enjoy eggs for breakfast.  How about a fried egg sandwich for lunch? What’s your favorite way to enjoy an egg?  Use #NationalEggDay when posting on social media.

National Egg Month

National Egg Month in May reminds us all the egg is cracked up to be!

It sure beats many other foods and whips up a great meal. We rely on eggs for a variety of uses, too. They’re essential for baked goods, but on their own, eggs make an eggcellent meal.

Whether boiled, baked, basted or fried, eggs are full of protein. They go well with vegetables and herbs, too.

One of the world’s most affordable food sources, eggs contain all the nutrients a body needs except vitamin C. So if you’re on a budget and want to stay healthy, add eggs to your superfood list.

HISTORY

National Egg Month has been observed since the 1960s. Different months had the honor, however, as the reputation of the egg soured for a period of time, so did National Egg Month. But in the 1990s, the American Egg Board re-established National Egg Month in May. Since then, studies have been shining a light on good and bad egg nutrition, we have come a long way to understanding more about the differences in cholesterol and what it means for our health.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE

Try new recipes throughout the month. Eggs are versatile and can be incorporated into every meal of the day.  They’re also portable. Use #NationalEggMonth to share all the incredible ways eggs make your life and health better.

NATIONAL BRUNCH MONTH

When you wake up late for breakfast but it’s too soon for lunch, the remaining option is brunch. Every day in April celebrates National Brunch Month – the food, the history, and the people we celebrate it with!

Brunch, both the word and the meal, have a long, interesting history. Originated in England in the 19th century as a light afternoon meal following extended church services, eventually transitioning into lavish multi-course meals. It wasn’t until the 1930s in Chicago that brunch began an integration into the United States.

Two of the earliest printed mentions of the word brunch point toward Oxford, England. The first in July of 1895, Margaret B. Wright writes about several terms used in Oxford, England for various meals. In her article titled “Lunch at Oxford” published in The Independent out of New York Wright says, “…when a man makes lunch his first meal of the day it becomes ‘brunch’…”

Many will also reference an article in the obscure Hunter’s Weekly dated November 1895 that credits Guy Beringer with a lighthearted article describing brunch – a meal for late-night carousers, those returning from church, and hunters combining the words breakfast and lunch.

In Beringer’s article, he suggests the meal should be light and the occasion sociable. The meal combines dishes from breakfast with heavier dishes from lunch. While the brunch menu changes over time and from place to place, the social part of a brunch remains the same. Friends and family gather casually to enjoy conversation, good food, and beverages. A brunch is also a good excuse to nurse a hangover with the hair of the dog – cocktails, and spritzers combined with fruit or vegetable juices come to mind.

National Brunch Month also celebrates the foods, beverages, and places we go for at that meal between breakfast and lunch. Many restaurants and pubs offer brunch to their patrons. These buffets offer something for everyone including signature dishes, cocktails, and traditional brunch fare. You can expect eggs, fresh-baked breads, waffles, fruit, salads, and much more. And don’t forget the beverages. Coffee, juice, tea, champagne, mimosas, and Bloody Marys all make the list.

Though brunch doesn’t require a special occasion, it does include the element of friends and family. And what’s better than that? Celebrate all April long with National Brunch Month!

National Brunch Month History

Ebb & Flow founded National Brunch Month to celebrate all the ways brunch brings us together.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBrunchMonth

Wrap up your weekends with friends and family (and of course, the perfect cure for the night before) with a dose of brunch. Whether you visit your favorite restaurant or pub (like Ebb & Flow), linger on the patio, or host brunch in your home, the meal will be delicious and the company enjoyable. Share your favorite brunch celebration by using #NationalBrunchMonth on social media.

NATIONAL  PACK YOUR LUNCH DAY

National Pack Your Lunch Day on March 10 encourages everyone across the country to take their lunch to work, school or where ever they’re spending the day. It’s an opportunity to revitalize lunchtime with fresh and healthful meal choices.

Packing your lunch has benefits you may not expect. One of the immediate benefits is savings. Many home-prepared lunches cost less than ordering off the take-out menu or eating out. Another benefit of making your own lunch is controlling portion sizes and ingredients. By adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your lunches, they will be healthier, too. 

  • Mickey Mouse was the first licensed character to appear on a lunchbox in 1935.
  • The 1950 Hopalong Cassidy lunchbox was the first lunchbox based on a television show.

While some foods pack well for lunch, others don’t fare so well. If you’re new to packing lunches, check out this starter list:

  • Hardboiled egg – provides a serving of protein
    • peeled and placed in a separate container
  • Fresh vegetables – choose a dipping sauce like ranch or balsamic vinegar
    • carrots sticks, celery sticks, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes
  • Whole fruit – apple, orange, banana, grapes, berries
  • Yogurt – provides a serving of dairy
  • Salad – prepared with deli meats of your choosing
    • place dressing in a separate container
  • Cheese
  • Crackers
  • Nuts

You will want to include a gel pack to keep your food chilled until lunchtime, even if you’re reheating leftovers. 

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #PackYourLunchDay

Make a plan and a shopping list begin taking more lunches. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it. Bring a packed lunch to work, school or a friend’s house and use #PackYourLunchDay to post on social media.