Gov paying over a half million dollars a pound for sliced ham?

By Thomas Lifson

According to Recovery.gov, the new Obama website showing us how much the country is being stimulated by government spending, the taxpayers are buying sliced frozen ham at $550,000 per pound. I wonder what they would pay for fresh ham?

Update: The USDA clarifies the misleading data on recovery.gov. "760,000 pounds of ham for $1.191m, at a cost of approximately $1.50 per pound. " Apparently deli meats qualify as a shovel-ready. Drudge notes that sliced ham is available much cheaper at Food Lion.

And here I thought prosciutto was expensive. Is this going to be served to guests at one of the many parties the Obamas like to throw? Half million dollar a pound ham won't really uimpress the Saudis, if Obama offers it to them, no matter how low he bows.

This makes the $100/lb wagyu steaks used at White House parties look like a bargain.

You can find the details here:

Award Overview

Agency Name	Department of Agriculture	Project Location	LOS ANGELES
Contract Number	AG3J14120297196	Project Location - State	CA
Funding Amount	$1,191,200	Project Location - Zip Code	90058-1800
Completion Date	2009-06-30	Congressional District	CA-34

Recipient Information (Award)

Recipient Name	CLOUGHERTY PACKING, LLC	Recipient Address	3049 E VERNON AVE
Recipient City	LOS ANGELES	Recipient State	CALIFORNIA
Recipient Zip Code	90058-1800	Congressional District	CALIFORNIA-34