Passion for Pork

Published on by MICHELLE ROSE

NEWS RELEASE

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
and Wisconsin Pork Association DATCP, Pork Association partner on ‘Passion for Pork’ initiative

Release Date: May 1, 2020
Media Contacts: Keri Retallick, Wisconsin Pork Association Executive Vice President, (608) 778-7250
Rick Hummell, DATCP Public Information Officer, (608) 224-5041

 

MADISON – The Wisconsin Pork Association (WPA) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,
Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) have joined forces to start a new program connecting
Wisconsin pork producers to local meat processors, consumers and the growing number of people
experiencing food insecurity during COVID-19.

Through the program, called “Passion for Pork,” WPA and DATCP are connecting Wisconsin pork
producers with smaller, local meat processors who are extending their hours of operation to process and
package the pork to help meet the growing demand for food bank and food pantry resources. Wisconsin
food banks are getting the pork into the hands of those in need.

“Due to current market challenges and supply chain disruptions brought on by COVID-19, the
Wisconsin Pork Association is pleased to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade
and Consumer Protection and local meat processors to create a new destination for pork that might
otherwise go to waste,” said Keri Retallick, WPA executive vice president. “The program is a win-win
for pork producers, processors and consumers alike.”

“We are glad to join with the Wisconsin Pork Association to help them get Wisconsin pork to
consumers in need,” said DATCP Interim Secretary Randy Romanski. “This is another great example of
the positive impact we can have when we connect the dots between Wisconsin producers, processors
and consumers.”

The program kicked off earlier this week with the delivery of 60 hogs for harvest to People’s Meat
Market, a local meat processor and program member in Stevens Point. The whole hog carcass is then
broken down into smaller portions for further processing and packaging at Windsor-based Neesvig’s
Meats, another program member. Along with shipping the processed pork to food banks and food
pantries, the local meat processors also sell the pork at their retail stores. Additionally, Neesvig’s hopes
to offer pick up of various products at several different sites including their processing plant in Windsor
in the next few weeks.

The hogs for “Passion for Pork” are being supplied by Wisconsin pig farmers, however, there are
significant costs associated with the processing, storage, and delivery of the pork to food banks and
pantries. WPA is currently accepting donations from the public to support the continued operation of
this program. (In compliance with Wisconsin law, DATCP is neither soliciting nor accepting
contributions on behalf of WPA.)

Donations to the Passion for Pork can be mailed to:
Passion for Pork
c/o Peoples State Bank
P.O. Box 218
Bloomington, WI 53804

Or electronically at https://donorbox.org/passion-for-pork.

Wisconsin pig farmers and meat processors interested in participating in the program should email the
Wisconsin Pork Association: wppa@wppa.org

Processing will continue for as long as processing capacity and funds remain. DATCP will continue to
work with WPA and other agricultural groups to find ways to get Wisconsin commodities to consumers in need.