Keep piling on those cold cuts

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), August, 2004

Nothing beats a sandwich for convenience and taste. Obviously, most Americans agree since research by Sara Lee Corporation indicates that: it is estimated that we eat 300,000,000 sandwiches a day--that's more than one for every man, woman, and child in the nation. For more sandwich fun facts, read on:

* The average person consumes three sandwiches a week.

* Ham continues to be the number-one sandwich selection. This popular cold cut has enjoyed a 10-year reign, beating out pizza and hot dogs.

* Some 39% of households consume deli ham one or more times per week.

* In 1934, a ham and cheese sandwich cost about 20 cents.

* In 1765, the sandwich was invented by John Montague, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. The Earl used to order roast beef between pieces of toast for a snack while he was at the gaming tables. It allowed him to keep one hand free to play while he ate.

* Assuming a sandwich was eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it would take 168 days to consume the amount of bread produced from one bushel of wheat.

* In recent years, adults have outpaced kids in carrying lunches from home.