Part 8/11:
Adding levity to this bizarre saga are stories of a North Carolina man, dubbed the “Pop-Tart Bandit,” who broke into an elementary school and stole nearly 90 packages of Pop Tarts, along with cheese sticks, milk, applesauce, and even compound bows. Authorities found him with an armful of snacks and weaponry, suggesting a bizarre form of snack hoarding or perhaps a misguided attempt at stockpiling supplies.
This incident highlights how Pop Tarts, despite being deemed “junk food,” are enough of a coveted commodity in some circles that they inspire such a bizarre crime spree. It also satirizes how food marketing has become so pervasive that even stealing snacks becomes a bizarre act of desperation or humor.