Many Iowans like to have picnics in the summertime, but not many attempt a picnic in January in Iowa unless it's the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
IPPA did just that on January 22 at Capital Square in downtown Des Moines as the association held its 16th annual Winter Pork Picnic promotion as a "thank you" to the many Iowans who support the state's pork producers by regularly purchasing and consuming pork.
Hog farmers from Tama and Story counties and several other volunteers helped grill and serve 3,000 ground pork burgers for the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The "free" pork lunch also included chips, pop and ice cream sandwiches.
Each consumer also was presented with a $5 discount coupon for use on their next purchase of fresh pork from their local supermarket.
"The Winter Pork Picnic was a great promotional and public relations event for the Iowa pork industry," said Joyce Hoppes, IPPA consumer information director. "We also collected nearly $950 in free-will contributions and donated 42 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Iowa. That donation will provide 4,531 meals to needy children, families and seniors."
Fareway Stores, Webster City Custom Meats, Rotella's Italian Bakery, Frito Lay Potato Chips and Pepsi Americas
partnered with IPPA in the promotion.
The Winter Pork Picnic was held in conjunction with the 42nd annual Iowa Pork Congress at the Iowa Events Center.
Source: Iowa Pork Producers Association
