22 January 2008: Wakeup Call to Spartan Brand Cornflakes

During times of low income, Cornflakes have always been there. When I go to the Supermarket, whether it be Tesco or Martins, I do not even browse through the other cereals. I know that Cornflakes, Generic or Kellogg's, will be the lowest price and last the longest. Why do I go for them? Is it because they are cheap? Is it because I like the taste? Is it because they fill me up? First, let us explore my experience with Cornflakes. My first experience with Cornflakes was at my Grandma & Grandpa Ewings home. We would drive 8 hours from Iowa and stay at Grandma's. Breakfast is an integral part of that stay. Grandma always has bowls on the table with boxes of dry cereal as a 'starter,' while the smell of cinnamon rolls and sausages pervades the air. Cornflakes were always one of those cereals. However, I never touched it. It just didn't look good. My next memory of Cornflakes resumes upon my semester abroad in Dublin. I had never lived on my own and I was very price conscious. Cornflakes was the cheapest cereal available both in real value and in value/gram. The next was when I lived in Dublin and finally, we are at the present. Every time I consume Cornflakes, it reminds me of a time when I didn't have money but I was happy. It takes me right back to Grandma's kitchen.

The Spartan 'corn flakes' box contains a number of items that evoke that memory. First, the eye is drawn to an enlarged picture of corn flakes in a big bowl covered in milk. The white color of the box is symbolic of 'generic' and thus, 'inexpensive.' However, mixed with the color of the milk, it almost expresses simplicity. Secondly, the eye is drawn to the blue label that says "good source of vitamins & minerals." There are 9 vitamins and minerals, it is cholesterols free and low fat. According to Schmidtt, this box's theme is the physical world. Vitamins and minerals, both literally and figuratively, root one back to nature. Nature helps to feed you. Finally, this box says "since 1953, a tradition of quality, reliability and customer satisfaction." Tradition makes me think of my grandmother's house. That is also not to forget the historical connotation of 'Spartan:' a tough soldier who never leaves the battlefield. This cereal is tough, traditional, and will get you through the day.