I was probably 8 or 9 years old when I first realized we were poor. I remember being at a friend's house and going to their pantry to grab a snack and seeing boxes and boxes of cereal. They had Lucky Charms, Frosted Flakes, Honey Combs, and more.

I laugh now thinking back to that experience because at the time the only cereal I knew came in a bag. The off-brand bagged cereals all have a slightly different name and each one has a slightly different taste, but they are good and usually much cheaper than the name brands. Now, that I'm older I appreciate saving money where you can and actually want to find and try some of these cereals.

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You Grew Up Poor If You Ate These Minnesota-Made Cereals

Malt-O-Meal started in 1919 as the Campbell Cereal Company. According to Wikipedia, John Campbell, a miller in Owatonna, Minnesota invented the hot breakfast cereal. The company is now known as MOM brands and is based in Lakeville.

Most kids didn't grow up eating Malt-O-Meal, but if you were like me you probably ate one of their cold cereals that come in a bag.

Trix are for (rich) kids! We ate the off-brand...

https://www.maltomeal.com/products/fruity-blasts/
https://www.maltomeal.com/products/fruity-blasts/
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The MOM Brand is now owned by Post Cereal and offers 30 different bagged cereals including an off-brand version of Apple Jacks called Apple Zings.

Others include one that looks a lot like Cap'n Crunch called Berry Colossal Crunch and an alternate to Cinnamon Toast Crunch called Cinnamon Toasters.

Cookie Crisps is a legendary kids' cereal. I instantly hear the "cooookie" voice from their commercials in my head whenever I see the brand name.

We didn't get Cookie Crips - We ate...

https://www.maltomeal.com/products/chocolate-chip-cookie-bites/
https://www.maltomeal.com/products/chocolate-chip-cookie-bites/
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If you're looking for a healthier option that's cheaper than Honey Nut Cheerios you could pick up a bag of Golden Honey O's or a package of Crispy Rice.

Rice Krispies are definitely not a top choice for kids. If you were forced to eat them as a kid you were probably dumping a spoonful of sugar into the bowl.

We never ate them, but I remember my mom using Crispy Rice to make Rice Krispy Bars.

https://www.maltomeal.com/products/crispy-rice/
https://www.maltomeal.com/products/crispy-rice/
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Malt-O-Meal bagged cereals are available in most Walmart stores.

When you shop for a cereal you've probably noticed a lot of animal mascots. Frosted Flakes has a tiger, Trix has a rabbit, and Honey Smacks has a frog.

I loved eating the knockoff Honey Smacks.

https://www.maltomeal.com/products/golden-puffs/
https://www.maltomeal.com/products/golden-puffs/
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Chocolate for breakfast?!? It's every kid's dream, and if you were lucky you got Cocoa Puffs or Cocoa Pebbles.

We gobbled Coco Roos and slurped up the leftover chocolate milk.

https://www.maltomeal.com/products/coco-roos/
https://www.maltomeal.com/products/coco-roos/
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Eight Legendary Food Brands That Call Minnesota Home

Below you'll see some of the iconic food brands that call Minnesota home.

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