From classic comfort foods to innovative new entrees, several successful,
high-profile winter foodservice promotions have showcased the porks
possibilities to a wide range of consumers.
Even in a down economy, weve found ways to partner with leading foodservice
providers and achieve great results with recent pork promotions, says Howard
Greenblatt, national foodservice marketing manager for the Pork Checkoff.
Americas Pork Producers and Smithfield Meats teamed up with ARAMARK, which
provides award-winning food services to companies across the country, to feature
Smithfield Spiral Sliced Hams. ARAMARK offered patrons in each of their 1,500
business and industry accounts the option to purchase a ham during the 2009
holiday season. In addition, the hams were featured for lunch and dinner at each
of ARAMARKS dining facilities.
This was an excellent promotion, because ARAMARK exceeded their incremental
tonnage goal of more than 100,000 pounds of ham, Greenblatt says.
Pork also received top billing this winter through Sodexo Senior Services, a
national foodservice management company with 500 adult retirement communities
and assisted living centers across the United States. The company, which
provides foodservice to more than 125,000 people on a daily basis, featured
pork-inspired comfort foods during a recent four-week promotion.
New entrees were showcased each week, including corn chowder with bacon; pork
loin with fresh apple stuffing; bacon and pear salad; grilled pork chops;
pear-stuffed potatoes and pork medallions with peppered apple and onions; and
pepper-crusted pork loin with chili sauce. The Pork Checkoff partnered with the
Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service to offset the cost of the promotion,
Greenblatt says.
This was a tremendous success, because Sodexo had set an incremental pork
tonnage goal of 375,000 pounds, and they exceeded this by 75,000 pounds, adds
Greenblatt, who notes that the Pork Checkoff is working on new pork promotions
with Sodexo in 2010.
New York Stock Exchange serves up pork appetizers, entrees
The holiday season also provided a unique opportunity to promote pork at the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE). During the last two weeks of December, 3,500
employees and traders, along with 1,500 invited guests of the NYSE, enjoyed
exciting new pork recipes that incorporated pork shoulders, butts, ribs, fresh
hams and more. From Asian flavors to barbecue to Latin flair, the delicious
appetizers and entrees highlighted porks versatility.
It takes a lot of work to execute a promotion like this, because everyone wants
their product featured in the New York Stock Exchanges foodservice, Greenblatt
says. Were fortunate that pork made the cut, because this allowed us to target
a high-profile audience.
Source:
National Pork Board