TORONTO – In the spirit of National Sandwich Week from May 12 to 19, Dempster's Bread is celebrating the 250th birthday year of the sandwich with Canadians across the country.
For two-and-a-half centuries, the sandwich has been a quintessential part of well-balanced diet, providing healthy and fun goodness for families, kids and adults at all times of the day (and even for those sneaky midnight snacks!).
But did you know the sandwich has a tantalizing history?
In 1762 John Montagu, the Fourth Earl of a small town in the United Kingdom called Sandwich, was on a winning streak while playing cards during a heated match. He refused to leave the playing table to eat, so he asked his valet to serve him meat between two slices of bread. Historical records debate whether Mr. Montagu was the ultimate victor of that historic card game, but it's clear he won an even grander title that day – "the King of the Kaiser" – inventor of one of the most famous foods in history!
In celebration of John Montagu's discovery, we raise a slice and toast the sandwich as one of the most enjoyable and wholesome meal choices of all time.
Visit our Bread is Good Food website for nutritional information and valuable tips. (Link: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/__bread_is_good_food/).
Celebrate by enjoying your favourite sandwich throughout the week! For some great new sandwich ideas visit our Recipe section.
Canadian Sandwich Fact Bites
• Ninety-four percent of Canadians say they eat at least one sandwich each week*.
• The most popular sandwich filling choices in Canada are turkey, ham and bacon*.
• Sandwiches are the leading entrée on restaurant menus across Canada*.
• Hero sandwiches were re-named subs during World War II after the U.S. Navy's submarine base in Groton, Connecticut became a regular customer at Benedetto Capaldo's Italian deli with a daily order of 500 sandwiches!
• In 1916 a prize winning recipe entered into a contest sponsored by J.M. Schneider & Sons at the Toronto National Exhibition featured a sandwich filling using Schneiders Liver Sausage or Brunswick Sausage, minced onion, chopped pickles or olives and cream or salad dressing. It suggested using white, brown or rye bread. Mrs. C.A. Strutt won third prize for her recipe.
*Source: The Canadian Sandwich Consumer Trend Report, Technomic, Inc., 2010, Report
About Canada Bread/Dempster's
As "Canada's Bakery", Dempster's has been nourishing Canadians since James Dempster founded both the company and the tradition of baking nutritious and great tasting breads over 100 years ago. All Dempster's breads are made with 100% Canadian Wheat and are baked fresh daily. For more information visit: www.dempsters.ca or www.facebook.com/dempsters.
Source: Canada Bread/Dempster's