A friendly wager between two neighboring states’ pork associations recently turned into a big win for everyone in the end. Indiana University prevailed over Ohio State University in the Big 10 football championship, resulting in a $2,000 donation of pork products to an Indiana organization that provides high-quality protein to families in need during the holidays.
“While Ohio State fans were disappointed by the game’s final score, our state’s family pig farmers are very pleased to donate $2,000 of pork products to Indiana Pork’s Hoosier Hogs to Homes program,” says Cheryl Day, Ohio Pork Council executive vice president. “During this holiday season, it’s more important than ever to know that those in need are able to provide nutritious protein to their family dinner tables.”
This donation of pork from the Ohio Pork Council should provide roughly 2,400 servings of pork to Hoosier families.
Josh Trenary, Indiana Pork’s executive director, says: “We are pleased to accept the $2,000 donation to our Hoosier Hogs to Homes program from the Ohio Pork Council. During this holiday season, we are thankful to be able to provide nutritious protein to those in need.”
At the end of the day, the goal of this wager was to help ensure communities are getting the assistance they need in terms of protein, says Clark Jordan, an Ohio pig farmer from Eaton, Ohio, who serves on the OPC board of directors.
“It’s a great feeling to know that we’re helping out families on both sides of the state line, which definitely helps ease any bruised egos after the big game,” Jordan says.
Receiving the donation on behalf of Indiana Pork was pork producer Jackie Bowman Ponder, of Greenwood, Ind., who serves on the Indiana Pork board of directors as well as the National Pork Producers Council’s board of directors.
“Indiana pig farmers are passionate about feeding our neighbors,” Ponder says. “We know how great the need is around the holiday season so we are excited that Ohio wanted to make this friendly bet and the IU Hoosiers came out as the winner!”
