The City Where Spam, the Canned Delicacy, was founded is now “Autism-Friendly”

Samuel Ehret (right) is an official “Spambassador”at the museum, a hot spot for tourists who have a fondness whose name conjures up anything but images of prime cut steaks or roasts. It is located in Austin, Minnesota, where Spam has been made by Hormel Foods for 81 years. Ehret is autistic, and he got this job because he loves all things Spam — its taste, its history, and especially the museum’s showpiece: a motorcycle that runs on bacon grease. He also got the job because Austin is an autism-friendly town. A decade ago, it became one of the first in the country to launch a community-wide effort both to reduce the disorder’s stigma and make local businesses aware of the special needs of autistic customers. For more, click here.