Making its first appearance at Baconfest Chicago, Bacon Lovers Deli Meats by Eckrich has announced a donation match of the new product to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Visitors who attended the event, known collectively as “Bacon Nation,” donated non-perishable items that Eckrich matched with 2,500 pounds of its new Bacon Lovers Deli Meats. The total donation exceeded a total of 5,000 pounds of food that will help feed a family of four for nearly one year.
Eckrich, part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, recently announced the national expansion of its Bacon Lovers Deli Meats. Having a presence at Baconfest Chicago, near John Morrell Food Group’s headquarters in Lisle, Ill., was, as the brand says, “the best idea ever.”
Making the idea even better for Eckrich was the opportunity to make such a significant donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, according to the company. This is the fourth year that Baconfest Chicago has supported the food bank by donating a portion of ticket proceeds and by hosting a food drive to help guests give back to the community. It’s the first year for Bacon Lovers Deli Meats by Eckrich to support it. The total donation of 5,000 pounds, per the USDA definition that one meal is equivalent to 1.2 pounds of food, will provide a total of 4,166 meals. For a family of four, this is a meal for 50 weeks and provides food each month for a year to help eliminate hunger in the community. The donation was made during Baconfest Chicago ceremonies held inside the UIC Forum.
Eckrich also made its presence known outside the festival, including the sampling of all five varieties of Bacon Lovers Deli Meats: Bacon Covered Ham, Bacon Ranch Chicken Breast, Bacon Covered Club, Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast with Bacon and Peppered Bacon Covered Roast Beef. The deli meats are available at grocers nationwide.
“There is no better way for Bacon Lovers Deli Meats to celebrate than with our fellow Bacon Nation members at Baconfest Chicago,” said Elizabeth Di John, brand manager for Eckrich Deli Meats. “More importantly, this was a great opportunity for us to give back to the community we live in and where Bacon Lovers Deli Meats was inspired. Fighting hunger is important to us and this donation will go a long way to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository. We’re glad that in our first year with Baconfest Chicago that we could make an impact.”
In the featured photo at top: Michael Griggs, co-founder of Baconfest Chicago; Elizabeth Di John, brand manager for Bacon Lovers Deli Meats; and Gerry Maguire of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
