Yes, they still make Cracker Jacks (official known as Cracker Jack). The Cracker Jack brand is owned by Frito-Lay, which is a division of PepsiCo. This caramel popcorn brand can be purchased at many major stores such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Albertsons, H.E.B., and Meijer.
Find Cracker Jack Near You
You can find out where to buy Cracker Jack near you by visiting fritolay.com/where-to-buy. Once you reach this webpage, click the Cracker Jack logo. You will then be able to type in your zip code and select the Cracker Jack flavor(s) you are looking for. You then click “Find” and the website will list the stores nearest to you that sell Cracker Jack.
Cracker Jack and Baseball
Cracker Jack was first introduced in 1896 with the classic combination of popcorn, peanuts, and molasses. In 1907, the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was released, which officially linked Cracker Jack to baseball with the lyric, “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack”.
While the connection between baseball and Cracker Jack is still strong, the concern with nut allergies has caused many baseball fields to reevaluate how they handle snacks that include peanuts like Cracker Jack. The Colorado Rockies affiliate, the Hartford Yard Goats, is a recent example of a team that has done away with peanuts and Cracker Jack to create a safer venue. Other field have created peanut-free seating areas and peanut-free game days.
The Prizes
Almost any adult will tell you that one of the major attractions of Cracker Jack when they were a kid was the mystery prizes. These prizes began to be included in boxes starting in 1912. A quick search of ebay reveals the diverse collection of prizes that have been included in boxes through the years. These prizes include charms, stickers, baseball cards, presidential coins, and much more. Some of these prizes, like the early baseball cards, sell for thousands of dollars.
We suspect many readers are wondering if Cracker Jack still includes prizes in each box or bag. Unfortunately, in 2016 they replaced the toy prizes with digital codes that allow access to online games via the company’s website. Needless to say, but the removal of real prizes has been a disappointment for many long time lovers of Cracker Jack.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_Jack
https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/02/07/stop-selling-peanuts-cracker-jacks-colorado-rockies-affiliate-hartford-yard-goats/
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