DIS-Lancaster Farming Saturday, September 6,1986
BY RICHARD BARCZEWSKI
University of Delaware
NEWARK, Del. - Over the past
several months. I’ve had the op
portunity to talk with several
people involved in the livestock
industry regarding consumer
concerns about fat in the diet. On
two separate occasions, it was
suggested that producers need tc
change their own attitudes about
the livestock they grow.
You see, producers have the
habit of referring to their market
hogs as fat hogs. This term is not
acceptable to consumers and
should not be acceptable to
producers either.
Trends in the hog industry are
toward leaner, meatier hogs not
fat ones. Our descriptive names for
market animals need to reflect the
type of product we’re trying to
produce.
Fat is not a positive term in
today’s society. It’s become
associated with health concerns,
Pork Producers Change Views Of Product
and the American consumer is
constantly reminded that fat
makes up too much of his daily
caloric intake.
But why the big fuss? Aren’t
today’s pigs leaner than those
produced 10 or 15 years ago?
Everybody associated with the
pork industry knows that today’s
pigs are leaner. Along with this
leaness, they’re also more efficient
to produce.
The problem is that even though
we raise a lean product we still
refer to«it in our old terms. Believe
me, I’m as guilty as the rest of the
pork industry in doing this. I’ve
used the description “fat hogs”
and have been wrong in doing so.
What’s the solution? First of all,
let’s all get out of the habit of using
the term “fat” in referring to our
livestock. If you ever hear me say
it, point it out to me, and I’ll do
likewise. It’s not easy changing
language we’ve used over 10 or
more years, and we all can use a
little help.
Instead of saying “fat,” why not
substitute “market” or “market
ready.” “Finished” might also be
a good term to use when referring
to our market hogs.
Another problem faced by our
industry is a lack of desirable
product in the store meat cases. I
don’t know how many pork
producers have mentioned to me
that they can’t find the type of
pork, cut the way they like, in the
meat cases.
For example, have you ever
noticed how thin pork chops are cut
for consumers? This is basically a
ploy by the meat cutter to make
more (but smaller) servings out of
a given amount of meat. But have
you ever tried to grill a % inch
thick pork chop? The results are
usually somewhere between shoe
leather and brick. By the time the
meat is cooked through, it’s
usually dry and flavorless.
As consumers, insist that the
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meat you buy is what you want. If
you have to wait a couple of
minutes before getting your order
custom cut, do it. Encourage other
people to do this, too.
We need to educate consumers
that today’s pork is leaner and
more nutritious than ever. Here’s
where your state pork associations
Weaver To Sponsor Benefit
LANCASTER - Victor F.
Weaver, Inc. will sponsor the
Weaver Zesty Wings Hot Hitters
Contest to benefit the March of
Dimes Saturday, September 13 at
Zinn’s Park.
The event features contestants in
three divisions - men, women and
children (10 to 15) - hitting slow
pitched softballs for distance.
“We’re very pleased and excited
about being able to help the March
of Dimes by sponsoring the Zesty
Wings Hot Hitters Contest,” said
Allen Tate, communication ser
vices manager at Victor F.
Weaver, Inc. “We’re looking
forward to a competitive and fun
day.”
PAINTING
come into play. Educational
materials and promotional
campaigns organized by local pork
producer groups can play a large
role in educating consumers about
the wholesomeness of pork.
However, we as producers also
need to make some changes in the
way we view our own product.
All contestants who enter will
receive an event t-shirt, coupons
for Weaver’s new Zesty Wings and
will be eligible for additional
contest events and prizes.
“The Weaver Zesty Wings Hot
Hitters Contest pure and simple is
a fun event for the Lancaster area
softball players,’’ said Duane
Peters, executive director of the
Lancaster County March of Dimes.
There is a $5 entry fee for the
Weaver Zesty Wings Hot Hitters
Contest with proceeds going to the
March of Dimes. More information
on the event can be obtained by
calling the March of Dimes office
at (717) 397-6131.
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