Welcome to The Fork Front
We bring the past to life through food. On this webpage, you can explore food history in our blogs, vlogs, and podcasts. We also offer curated, personal food narratives and historical menus for special events.
Recent Press:
The Delicious Legacy Podcast – Thoma Ntinas
Spam – A Global History: Interview with Dr Kelly Spring
The Avid Reader Show – Wellington Square Bookshop
The History of SPAM with Kelly A. Spring
New Book Network – Miranda Melcher
Kelly A. Spring, “SPAM: A Global History” (Reaktion, 2025) – New Books Network
Upcoming Talks:
October 19 – Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor, “Myths of SPAM”, 4-5:30pm US ET, Program Schedule | Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor
October 23 – Institute of Historical Research Food History Seminar – In conversation with Brandi Simpson Miller discussing SPAM: A Global History, 12:30-1:30pm US ET, Food History | Institute of Historical Research
SPAM:
A Global History
Out Now!
Release Dates:
Reaktion Press – UK, June 2025
University of Chicago Press – US, August 2025
SPAM: A Global History, Spring
This book explores SPAM’s complex history, from its inception to its resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its enduring legacy in places like Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, Okinawa and South Korea.
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State Fairs & Foodies
State fairs are one of the joys of late summer and early autumn. The first state fair was held in Syracuse, New York in 1841, and state fairs spread from there. Today, every state in the nation holds a summer fair. There are also tribal fairs, as well as local and regional fairs throughout the…
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Food and the American Road Trip
One of the great joys of summer is the great American road trip. This is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when the vast majority of the U.S. population hits the road with family or friends to visit familiar sites or frequent new ones. There is often a bit of nostalgia connected to…
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Egg Supplies & Rationing
For the past several months, the United States poultry population has been hit hard by the Avian influenza. Egg producers have taken enormous losses in terms of both the size of their flocks and their income. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that as of April 2025, the disease has resulted in the loss…
Weekly Rations
Videos exploring the varied realm of wartime food and consumption practices.
Weekly Rations – Homemade Sausage Patties
The Hungry Historians Podcast
The Hungry Historians podcast has arrived!
Listen to our introductory podcast here: An Introduction to The Hungry Historians – Hungry Historians | Podcast on Spotify
A podcast series about the latest food history research
Current Podcast Episode: Kelly A. Spring, SPAM: The Global History
The Fork Front Shop
Bespoke menus for events
On the Menu
Are you hosting an event and need a food-related theme? How about a uniquely researched and curated menu for your event, allowing you and your guests to catch a glimmer of a bygone era through a unique culinary adventure.
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