From #PORKtober celebrations to scholarships and company initiatives, the pork industry is buzzing with promotion in a number of ways. Here’s a look at what Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council, the National Pork Producers Council and Hormel Foods Corporation have in the works.
Pork Month Celebrations: PPPC and Penn State Rib Cookoff Shine Spotlight on Pork
October kicks off Pork Month celebrations. The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council (PPPC), in collaboration with the Pork Checkoff, aims to highlight the nutritional benefits and versatility of pork as a family-friendly protein choice.
An exciting event on the agenda is the 2023 Penn State Rib Cookoff, proudly sponsored by PPPC. Happening on October 14, 2023, at PSU FanFest, local restaurants will compete for the title of Best Ribs. The winning restaurant will be honored during the PSU Football game halftime against the University of Massachusetts.
Courtney Gray, PPPC’s Executive Director, stated, “The Penn State Rib Cookoff allows us to engage with local restaurants and PSU fans, promoting pork as an ideal family protein.”
Building on the success of the ‘Raise a Rib’ summer campaign, PPPC continues to connect with consumers. Additionally, PPPC collaborates with the GIANT Company for their Dietitian Recommended series. This includes online cooking classes featuring pork tenderloin and loin, presented on ‘Feature Friday’ and ‘Meal Solutions Monday’, respectively.
For more information on Pork Month celebrations and PPPC’s initiatives, visit PPPC’s website or follow on social media @whypapork.
2024 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship: Apply Now!
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announces the 2024 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship, sponsored by CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation. Ten outstanding students will receive $2,500 scholarships, empowering them to pursue careers in the pork industry.
“Our industry is evolving, and the success of America’s pork farming will depend on the next generation of leaders,” said Scott Hays, NPPC president and pork producer from Monroe City, Mo. “That is why the Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship is important because it inspires and supports students seeking careers in the pork industry.”
Open to undergraduates in two-year swine programs or four-year agricultural colleges, with applicants evaluated by essay submissions that describe current or future issues confronting the pork industry with proposed solutions. Winners will be revealed at the National Pork Industry Forum in Chicago, Ill. next March.
Established in 1990, the scholarship honors Lois Britt, a revered figure in the pork industry, recognizing her legacy and dedication to agriculture. For application details, visit NPPC’s website. Deadline to enter is Jan. 2, 2024.
Hormel Foods Sets Aggressive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals
Hormel Foods Corporation has committed to cutting absolute GHG emissions from its operations by 50% by 2030 (from 2019 levels), as validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Concurrently, the company aims to reduce GHG emissions in its supply chain by 27.5% within the same timeframe, aligning with the Paris Climate Agreement’s temperature rise limits.
Tom Raymond, director of environmental sustainability at Hormel Foods, stated in a recent release, “We are proud to announce these ambitious targets to combat climate change. Achieving these goals necessitates the collective efforts of our entire team, partners, and supply-chain members, as we work tirelessly to decarbonize every facet of our value chain.”
Hormel Foods has significantly enhanced energy efficiency, procuring 100% domestic renewable electricity in 2022. These efforts earned recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Resource Solutions. Their progressive processing plant also received the ProFood World Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Award for reducing water and energy consumption.
For details on Hormel Foods’ environmental initiatives, visit the company website.
