Bacon Lovers Deli Meats by Eckrich Debut at Baconfest Chicago

LISLE, Ill., April 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Making its first appearance at the popular Baconfest Chicago, Eckrich announced today its donation match of its new Bacon Lovers® Deli Meats 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.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130420/CL98309)

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, 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.  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 which included sampling of all five varieties of Bacon Lovers Deli Meats, including: 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, 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 efforts to help bacon lovers enjoy the products in new ways, Eckrich has created several recipes with Bacon Lovers Deli Meats, such as Ranch Chicken Quesadillas, Applewood Smoked Turkey Wraps and Cheesy Roast Beef Sandwiches. To access the recipes, or for more information about the products, visit www.Facebook.com/EckrichMeats. 

About John Morrell Food Group
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour^®, Eckrich^®, John Morrell^®, Curly's^®, Patrick Cudahy^®, Carando^®, Healthy Ones^®, Margherita^® Kretschmar^® and LunchMakers^®.

About Eckrich
Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, Eckrich has a rich heritage starting from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Ind. Through it all, Eckrich meats have been recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care and pride. For more information, visit www.eckrich.com.

About Baconfest Chicago
Baconfest Chicago will open the doors to a bacon-wonderland for its fifth year. Ticket holders taste innovative bacon dishes prepared by more than 120 of Chicago's best chefs.  Luxury brands, artisan bacon-makers and bacontrepreneurs display and sample bacon products as the best mixologists and brewers hand out bacon-inspired cocktails, beer and wine. Additionally, the Golden Rasher Awards will be awarded to participating chefs in each session celebrating special achievement in the bacon arts. Best of all, Baconfest Chicago is good for the city.  Baconfest donates a portion of the ticket sale proceeds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  Since its inception, Baconfest Chicago has donated $130,000 to the city's food bank, which translates to more than 300,000 pounds of food.

SOURCE Eckrich