Pork Industry Headlines to Note
PA Pork Producers Give Back Big this Season
The PA Pork Producers Council (PPPC), donated over 5,000 pounds of pork this holiday season. Through the #GiveAHam Campaign, producers were encouraged to support local food banks by purchasing #realpork and donating to their communities. This holiday season Pennsylvania pork producers made individual donations in Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Mifflin, Montgomery, Northumberland, Lancaster and Luzerne.
PPPC Board President, Ben Barcovtch said, “It’s humbling to be a part of a community of pork producers with a heart to give back. The Give a Ham program is a highlight of the holidays for me. I enjoy knowing that protein-rich pork is making an impact for families in need.”
In addition to individual donations, the PPPC, alongside Leidy’s Premium Meats donated to the Central PA Food Bank, which services 27 counties and 1,100 agencies. The Central PA Food Bank serves over 200,000 Pennsylvanians annually.
"We are so grateful to have these delicious and healthy hams to distribute to our neighbors in need," Joe Arthur, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, said in a release. "This generous gift from our friends at the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council of more than 3,000 pounds of pork will nourish thousands of Central Pennsylvanians, and make their holiday meals that much more special, especially right now, when so many face tough choices between paying rent, gas, and medical bills or buying food,” Arthur added, noting that as 2023 draws to a close, the food bank is serving its 27-county service territory at levels even higher than at the peak of the pandemic.
$10,000 of Pork Donated to Iowa Food Banks as Need Soars
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) donated $10,000 worth of pork to help fight food insecurity in central Iowa in early December. That translates to about 14,400 meals, divided between the Food Bank of Iowa and the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC). The Food Bank of Iowa and DMARC, both based in Des Moines, each received 1,800 pounds of ground pork. The donations stemmed from IPPA’s BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark event in July.
“The holiday season is upon us and addressing food insecurity is vital this time of year,” IPPA President-Elect Matt Gent, a pig farmer from Wellman, Iowa, said in a release. “Pork producers care about their communities, and this is one of the many ways we give back. Pork is a rich source of protein and it’s very versatile. We hope these donations help a lot of folks who may not have regular access to hearty, nutritious meals.”
IPPA and its county affiliates across the state have provided tens of thousands of meals for underprivileged Iowans this year.
“Right now, food insecurity is nothing short of an emergency in our community,” Matt Unger, CEO at DMARC, a nonprofit that operates a Food Pantry Network in the Des Moines metro, said in a release. “The Food Pantry Network assisted 26,469 individuals in November — the most people ever assisted in one month.
Caring for the community is one of the core principles for Iowa pig farmers. These donations will help children, families, and seniors who are struggling with hunger.
“I have raised hogs, so I understand the tremendous value of this generous donation,” Michelle Book, CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa, said in a release. “Ground pork is tasty, versatile, and packed with protein — protein which is much needed right now by families struggling to make ends meet and folks living on fixed incomes. As the need for food assistance increases, we are grateful for our partnership with the Iowa Pork Producers Association.”
Winners Announced in Missouri FFA Swine Facility Management Contest
On December 6, the Missouri Pork Association, National Pork Board and the University of Missouri held the third-annual FFA Swine Facility Management Contest in Columbia, Mo. The California FFA Chapter received first place in this hands-on event that focused on real-world jobs in the pork industry. California FFA team members included Derek Bolinger, Ayden Howard, Ellye Messerli and Paige Morris.
Second place in the contest went to the Van-Far FFA, which included team members Kayla Heaton, Makayla McCurdy, Katelyn McCurdy and Carmen Wilburn. The Fayette FFA Chapter received third place, with team members Audree Hagerman, Gracie Innes, Melissa Innes and Emmit Schachtele.
The contest also recognized the top five individuals in the contest. First place went to Ayden Howard with the California FFA. Jackson Skouby with the Ashland FFA received second, and Sam York with the Morrisville (Marion C. Early) FFA received third. In fourth place was Sydnie Sigert with the Willow Springs FFA. Fifth place went to Wyatt Troesser with the Mexico FFA.
The FFA Swine Facility Management Contest tested the knowledge of youth on issues pertaining to swine production—feed, water, air, facility management and recordkeeping, Missouri Pork Association said in a release. The event is based on the principles of We Care, PQA Plus and TQA to ensure producers are raising pigs in a safe environment and train youth in all skills that translate to careers in the swine industry. Teams visited the University of Missouri’s Swine Research Farm to evaluate an operational swine facility. Students completed a written exam, then moved through six stages in and around the facility to evaluate procedures.
