Bring home the bacon! From Homer Simpson to Ron Swanson, pork has helped add some meat to pop culture characters, while inspiring piggy portions from our screens to our kitchens for years.
With July 4th around the corner, there is nothing more America-approved than pigging out on pork BBQ sliders, pork tenderloins, spareribs, hot dogs, bacon wrapped/topped everything, or even a full-blown pig roast on Independence Day. Align with barbecue and parade traditions and check out why pork is Uncle Sam-approved for your kitchen.
I Want YOU
Let’s pig out — pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world. Based on recent studies, pork represents almost 40% of the planet’s meat intake and technically contains more protein than chicken. Over the years, Americans have certainly developed a favored taste for pork, particularly in the form of bacon. According to market research, pork sales are up 20% in the U.S. since 2011.
Hogs are raised all over America, but the Midwest has been most shaped by pork production. With an influx of immigrants and migrants during the 1800-1900s, the Midwest became one of the most diverse regions in the nation. Farmers were raised around a rich culture of raising and eating pork, contributing to pork’s overall popularity and making Midwesterners the experts on hog raising, farming, and creating recipes with pork as the focus.
As far as dining goes, quality meat is essential, and menus featuring Allegiance® guarantee 100% all-natural fresh Midwest pork. Allegiance’s superior genealogy and its PathProven® process results in pigs raised on local farm-grown corn diets that contribute to marbling, superior flavor, juiciness, and tenderness.
Get Piggy With It
With a holiday known for fireworks, festivals, and celebrations, reinvent tradition and adopt a menu our founding fathers would approve of. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council declared July as National Hot Dog Month, noting July 4th as the highest day of the year for hot dog consumption — a whopping 150 million hot dogs are estimated to be eaten by Americans! Entice a crowd with hot dog offerings but get freaky with the toppings, like a foot-long dog topped with cheesy Doritos, pulled pork, bacon, BBQ sauce, relish, and onions! Or be presidential with your portions and try out red, white, and blue-themed toppings to add some star-spangled flair.
Corn on the cob is a BBQ staple, which makes it ever so popular on the 4th of July. While corn is the most abundant and cultivated grain in the U.S., corn has been around for thousands of years. Chew on our history and explore corn fix-ins — from corn casseroles and corn salads to dressing up traditional corn on the cob coats. Test out street corn combinations or play on the colors of the flag with blueberries, strawberries, and feta or Cotija cheese for a festive and fruity twist.
Inde-pig-dence Day
Ramp up to-go options and marketing for pick-up potential, so it’s easier for guests to order and schedule drive-by visits. Pack up your main pork portions, side salads, dips and slaws, and already prepped trays for guests to grab on their way to a relaxing holiday.
For those in a state that welcomes to-go drinks, take advantage of this opportunity and firework it! Collaborate with your bartenders to develop specials that play up the holiday. Think red, white, and blue shooters and frozen boozy slushies or red sangrias. Take traditional favorites like a mojito and make it America-stamped by muddling some raspberries with the mint, filling the glass with a rum concoction, and topping with blueberries.
Light up those sparklers, watch the fireworks brighten the night sky, and celebrate Independence Day with a pork feast — pledge allegiance to pork!
