Ted Genoways uses the story of Hormel Foods and soaring recession-era demand for its most famous product, Spam, to probe the state of the meatpacking industry, including the expansion of agribusiness and the effects of immigrant labor on Middle America.

pt. 1. The brain machine -- Have a cup of coffee and pray -- Alter egos -- pt. 2. Little Mexico -- They threw me away like trash -- This land is not your land -- pt. 3. From seed to slaughter -- Don't be afraid to hurt them -- Ag gag -- pt. 4. I thought it was fishy -- You are not welcome -- Brother, are you okay? -- pt. 5. A clean bill of health -- Lay of the land -- Water works -- pt. 6. The city of no -- Inspection.