Porktober with SDPPC

October – or “Porktober” – is celebrated annually as National Pork Month. It is the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed. Today, hogs are marketed throughout the year, but October is still a time for the industry to encourage consumers to see the benefit of adding pork to their diet.

The South Dakota Pork Producers Council, which serves as the industry voice for swine producers, works throughout the year to promote the nutritional value and versatility of pork. This year the council worked in conjunction with Smithfield Foods and Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., to host the inaugural “Downtown Pork Showdown” for consumers in the state’s largest community. Throughout the month of September, diners were encouraged to order a featured pork dish from the 16 participating downtown restaurants and vote on a variety of categories within the DTSF Digital Passport App. The restaurant with the highest average score by the end of the month is the Downtown Pork Showdown Champion.

According to Joe Batcheller, DTSF president, “DTSF is thrilled to host the inaugural Downtown Pork Showdown with Smithfield Foods. People have been asking for another DTSF food October – or “Porktober” – is celebrated annually as National Pork Month. It is the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed. Today, hogs are marketed throughout the year, but October is still a time for the industry to encourage consumers to see the benefit of adding pork to their diet.

The South Dakota Pork Producers Council (SDPPC), which serves as the industry voice for swine producers, works throughout the year to promote the nutritional value and versatility of pork. This year the Council worked with Smithfield Foods and Downtown Sioux Falls (DTSF), Inc., to host the inaugural “Downtown Pork Showdown” for consumers in the state’s largest community. Throughout the month of September, diners were encouraged to order a featured pork dish from 16 participating downtown restaurants and vote on a variety of categories within the DTSF Digital Passport App. The restaurant with the highest average score by the end of the month is the Downtown Pork Showdown Champion.

According to Joe Batcheller, DTSF president, “DTSF is thrilled to host the inaugural Downtown Pork Showdown with Smithfield Foods. People have been asking for another DTSF food competition. This new promotion will be a fun and engaging way for people to sample the culinary talent of downtown’s food scene.”

The Council is also hosting a Bingo Party through October. Participants print out a bingo card from the SDPPC website, then note when and where they ate a pork entrée from any South Dakota restaurant, food truck, or mobile vendor. The first 100 participants who visit a minimum number of restaurants are eligible to receive prizes ranging from t-shirts to $50 in pork certificates. (Please note there is still time to get in on the bingo party. On October 31, all cards will be put in a drawing for half a hog. If you would like to play, please go to sdppc.org and check under the “Events” tab.)

Throughout the year, pork producers volunteer to promote their industry. Whether grilling pork for grocery store giveaways and special events, or working in the food booth at the State Fair, the message is consistent: today’s pork is a versatile, healthful source of protein, it supplies many vitamins and minerals, and many cuts of pork meet the criteria for the American Heart Association Heart Checkmark.

Promoting the benefits of pork also helps promote the state’s soybean industry. The swine industry is the number one consumer of soybeans in South Dakota; according to research by the Pork Checkoff, the state’s swine herd will consume more than eight million bushels of soybeans in a year.

competition. This new promotion will be a fun and engaging way for people to sample the culinary talent of downtown’s food scene.”

The Council is also hosting a Bingo Party through October. Participants print out a bingo card from the SDPPC website, then note when and where they ate a pork entrée from any South Dakota restaurant, food truck, or mobile vendor. The first 100 participants who visit a minimum number of restaurants are eligible to receive prizes ranging from t-shirts to $50 in pork certificates. (Please note there is still time to get in on the bingo party. On October 31, all cards will be put in a drawing for half a hog. If you would like to play, please go to sdppc.org and check under the “Events” tab.)

Throughout the year, pork producers volunteer to promote their industry. Whether grilling pork for grocery store giveaways and special events, or working in the food booth at the State Fair, the message is consistent: today’s pork is a versatile, healthful source of protein, it supplies many vitamins and minerals, and many cuts of pork meet the criteria for the American Heart Association Heart Checkmark.

Promoting the benefits of pork also helps promote the state’s soybean industry. The swine industry is the number one consumer of soybeans in South Dakota; according to research by the Pork Checkoff, the state’s swine herd will consume more than eight million bushels of soybeans in a year.