286856 Fri Jan 12 19:14:03 -0800 2001 2 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1539886 So we have same product-different name in the western and eastern halves of the country, e.g., Best Foods/Hellman's and Dreyer's/Edy's, but does anyone know why sticks of butter (and margarine, for that matter) are longer and skinnier in the east and shorter and fatter in the west? This has always intrigued me. The nat'l brands of margarine all seem to come in both types, placed where appropriate (no, I don't use margarine, but I've noticed the boxes in the store on both coasts). I remember my mom telling me when I was a kid how, when she and my dad moved out to California, they had to buy a new butter dish because theirs couldn't accomodate the shorter, fatter sticks. Land O'Lakes, however, lands in the west with its eastern shape intact (which really pleases my mom; I guess we all prefer the things we grew up with on some level). So, anyone know the story? Fri Jan 12 19:14:03 -0800 2001 0 Caitlin 1 1539907 that is so weird that you posted this!! i just noticed that for the first time this holiday season. i don't buy much better except for baking and company so i had bot tillamook and then i saw land o lakes. my mom is from minnesota so i bot that out of nostaligia and was amazed that it was different. i thought it was just me that noticed! Sat Jan 13 15:46:13 -0800 2001 1539886 0 tonya casmo 1 1539918 Caitlin, There is short, fat butter sold in the east as well. One brand is Keilers, which I have seen in supermarkets on Cape Cod. But I agree that it is not the usual shape to be found here. Pat Sun Jan 14 09:25:28 -0800 2001 1539886 0 Pat Goldberg