Rutgers-Eagleton poll finds New Jerseyans divided on pork roll, Taylor Ham debate
The age-old pork roll vs. Taylor Ham debate continues in the Garden State.
Thirty-five percent of New Jersey residents call the meat "Taylor Ham," while 38 percent refer to it as "pork roll," according to a December 2015 Rutgers-Eagleton poll. The poll's results, announced on Tuesday, indicate that a person's preference depends on where they live.
A majority (59 percent) of North Jersey residents say "Taylor Ham," while 65 percent of South Jersey residents say "pork roll."
Those living in Central Jersey are also taking sides.
More self-identified Central Jerseyans call it "pork roll" than "Taylor Ham," according to the poll. Twenty-five percent of Central Jersey residents say "Taylor Ham" and 45 percent say "pork roll."
The poll found that the longer a person lives in New Jersey, the more likely it is that they will choose a side in the debate. Nearly half (46 percent) of residents living in the state less than 12 years either did not know what to call the meat or did not take a side.
Even President Barack Obama said he would not get in the middle of New Jersey's pork roll vs. Taylor Ham debate at the University's commencement on May 15.
"I come here for a simple reason, to finally settle this pork roll versus Taylor ham question," Obama said. "I'm just kidding ... I know better than to get in the middle of that debate."
New Jersey lawmakers are currently chewing on the question of the meat's official name. Assemblyman Tim Eustace introduced two bills: one to call it "Taylor Ham" and the other "pork roll." New Jersey residents can weigh in themselves on an online survey Eustace created.
Avalon Zoppo is the managing editor of The Daily Targum. She is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore majoring in political science. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo for more stories.
