Illinois Bacon Day is May 1

The Illinois Pork Producers Association will be at the Illinois State Capitol May 1 to celebrate the commemoration of Senate Joint Resolution 50, sponsored by Senator Tom Bennett (R-53), designating May 1 as Illinois Bacon Day.

Illinois pig farmers, IPPA staff, and FFA state officers will be handing out BLT sandwiches to legislators at the Illinois State Capital to discuss the role that pork production plays in Illinois.

Illinois Bacon Day is a day for celebration; however, it is also a day to bring attention to the important hurdles that Illinois pork producers are facing today, like market fluctuation in pork prices, environmental concerns, high feed costs, and preparedness for disease outbreaks.

To help support our farmers, we are challenging consumers to #BringHomeTheBacon. Keep the demand for pork products high by adding bacon (or any pork product!) to your grocery cart every time you shop. In doing so, you are supporting Illinois farms, 96% of which are family owned. Additionally, many local restaurants will be participating in Illinois Bacon Day by featuring a pork special on their menu May 1st.

IPPA president, Cheryl Walsh; IPPA vice president, Josh Maschhoff; Illinois pork producers: Kent Blunier, of Forrest, Illinois; Bruce Brinkman, of Valmeyer, Illinois; and Kristi Smith of Princeville, Illinois, will attend the event.