National Animal Cracker Day

 Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

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April 18th is National Animal Cracker Day.  What a fantastic day!!  Elephants, lions, tigers, bears and monkeys oh my.  These are small little sweet cookies shaped like zoo animals.  They were first brought to the United States during the 1800′s.  The demand for these wonderful little cookies skyrocketed and demand was over the roof!

Stauffer’s Biscuit Company was the first company to produce animal crackers in 1871 in York, Pennsylvania.  Other local bakeries came together under the National Biscuit Company or “Nabisco Brands”.  In 1902, the famous Barnum’s Animals circus theme box came out.  Bacon’s mom says that she remembers her parents bringing her these little boxes as a treat.

Did you know that since their start in 1903, there have been 37 different animals included in the Barnum’s Animal Crackers?  Today, more than 40 million packages of animal crackers are sold each year around the world.

So on this National Animal Cracker Day – enjoy a box OR TWO of these sweet delectable bits.  Just remember though, if you are going to eat in front of the pig, you have to share!  Animal crackers are one of his all time favorites.  In fact, mom buys him the economy bucket size at the warehouse 🙂