Farmers Support Baconfest Chicago, Benefit Local Foodbank
Greetings Bacon-Nation:
Baconfest Chicago is proud to announce our new Presenting Sponsor for Baconfest Chicago 2011: THE ILLINOIS PORK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION (IPPA). In addition to defraying the costs of producing the one-day festival of bacon, the IPPA will also work with Baconfest Chicago to support the mission of the event’s charity beneficiary – The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD).
The Pork Producers’ premier sponsorship makes it possible for Baconfest Chicago to assemble the nation’s largest to date gathering of Chefs, Artisan Bacon-makers, Bacon-related merchandise and Bacon-lovers on April 9th 2011 at the UIC Forum for YOU, Bacon Nation! Like us, they are committed to getting delicious bacon into the stomachs of as many Chicagoans as possible. We are truly grateful to have them as partners.
As a component of their sponsorship, the farmer leaders of IPPA have generously agreed that, for every pound of food we collect for the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) Baconfest Chicago Food Drive, they will match it POUND-FOR-POUND IN PORK. As our friends at the GCFD have told us, protein is always the highest in demand and least in supply at any food bank, making the IPPA donation-match truly spectacular!
If you plan on attending Baconfest Chicago 2011, bring some non-perishable food with you and, in exchange, receive two free raffle tickets to win some awe-inspiring prizes. And know that your donation will be matched pound-for pound in pork by Illinois’ glorious bacon-makers association.
“I’d be hard-pressed to name someone who does NOT like bacon,” said Brent Scholl, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, a pork producer from Polo, IL. “It’s in a league of its own! And by the response we saw to Baconfest Chicago in 2010, we knew we didn’t want to miss out on this year’s event, which is sure to put us in the company of dedicated bacon enthusiasts once again.”
Let us say once more: The Illinois Pork Producers Association proudly presents Baconfest Chicago 2011!! Thank you farmers. We at Baconfest Chicago could not have dreamed of a better group to work with as we transform the UIC Forum into a Bacon-wonderland.
In other business, the Baconfest Chicago 2011 Chef Line-up will be announced the week of Feb 1. General Admission tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 25th at noon. We can not wait to unveil this unbelievable roster of Chicagoland Chefs. Mark your calendars.
Happy January Bacon Nation.
Andre Von Baconvitch
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About the Illinois Pork Producers Association:
The IPPA is a trade association representing over 2900 Illinois pork producers/hog farmers/bacon-makers i.e. the people who play a role in bringing delicious bacon (and pork loin, ham, pepperoni, sausage… all things pork!) to the taste buds of the true pork aficionado! They are proud to produce the bacon we celebrate, with a commitment to ensuring food is safe, animals are treated well, the environment is protected, employees are well trained and respected, and that our neighbors and communities benefit. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/ilpork or visit their website at www.ilpork.com.
About The Greater Chicago Food Depository:
The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 66 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 135,000 meals every day. The Food Depository’s programs and services for children, older adults and the unemployed and underemployed address the root causes of hunger. For more information, log onto www.chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247- FOOD.
About Baconfest Chicago:
On April 9, 2011, 2000 ticketed guests will come together at the UIC Forum to celebrate bacon at the second annual Baconfest Chicago. Forty-five celebrated chef-sponsors will provide tasting portions of creative bacon-inspired dishes. Liquor sponsors, including Templeton Rye and the winemakers of Santome’ Vineyards will provide beverages to pair perfectly with the dishes. Thirty bacontrepreneurs will sample and sell bacon merchandise in the Baconfest Vendor Expo. The event will feature the presentation of the Golden Rasher awards, the “Oscars” of bacon. The Greater Chicago Food Depository will run a non-perishable food-drive at the event and will receive a portion of the ticket proceeds. More information about the event and the organization can be found at www.baconfestchicago.com.
