Celebrate! - Fun Food Facts

Jerky Day

National Jerky Day on June 12th each year celebrates the rich history, immense popularity, and nutritional benefits of dried meat snacks.

This nutrient-dense meat is made lightweight by drying. A pound of meat or poultry will weigh only about four ounces after transforming it into jerky. Properly prepared jerky can be stored for months without refrigeration because the drying process removes most of the moisture. Salt added to the meat before the drying process helps to prevent bacteria from developing.

The word "jerky" is derived from the Spanish word charqui, which came from the Quechua (a native South American language) word ch'arki, which means to burn (meat).

Convenience stores, gas stations, supermarkets and variety shops all across the United States offer traditional jerky in individual servings and in larger packages, too. They also offer it in a variety of flavors and add spices for additional heat.

While on road trips, camping, or even long-distance flights, jerky staves off hunger until the next meal. It's easy to pack, too. So easy, in fact, that due to its lightweight and high level of nutrition, it's even been to space. Since 1996, astronauts have selected jerky as space food several times for space flights. 

What type of jerky is a must-have in your pantry?