Farmer John Kicks Off the Summer Grilling Season With Sizzling New Website

VERNON, Calif., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- As Southern Californians flock to their backyards, local parks, and sunny beaches to celebrate the summer grilling season, Farmer John announces the launch of its all-new Website at www.farmerjohn.com.  Here in the Southland, the key ingredients to a crowd-pleasing cookout are no secret: fresh local products from Farmer John and bold global flavors from just about every culture in the world.  So it's with this sense of local pride that Farmer John introduces a new site that celebrates the diverse flavors found right here in L.A.'s own metropolitan backyard.

Founded in the heart of Southern California almost 80 years ago, Farmer John designed the new site to provide its friends and neighbors with unique online tools and resources.  Whether visitors find the perfect location for their next cookout using the Grill Locator application, discover exciting new recipe ideas for their next party, or watch exclusive web content like video featuring West Coast Customs building a smoking new tailgating vehicle for Farmer John, the new site is a one-stop destination for So-Cal culinary inspiration.

"Farmer John has always been known as a fun, consumer-minded brand and it's appropriate we accurately reflect those traits in all our touch points," said Greg Longstreet, president of Farmer John.  "In a town with almost 365 days of perfect grilling weather each year, the best way to experience the real tastes and flavors of Southern California is to cook up some of our delicious meats over hot coals.  Our new Website helps you find mouth-watering recipes tested by local foodies, as well as public grilling locations from downtown to the beaches."

Paying homage to the brand's Southern California roots, the site features local recipe ideas such as the Olvera Street Adobado Pork Tenderloin.  Farmer John partnered with trusted local food bloggers to cook up So-Cal-inspired recipes in home kitchens using Farmer John® products.  The result is globally-influenced, locally-tested recipes that are easy to make and flavored by regional culinary traditions.

In addition to recipes and meal ideas, Farmer John is introducing the Grill Locator, a one-of-a-kind resource that makes it easy to search local parks, beaches, recreation centers, and campgrounds for the perfect cookout location.  This easy-to-use application allows visitors to search by zip code, or amenities such as availability of picnic tables and public grills.

The Website was created by Los Angeles-based advertising agency Mendelsohn Zien.  As the creative, media, and digital agency of record for Farmer John, Mendelsohn Zien was responsible for the recent campaign reminding local sports fans to "get the hot dog you eat at the game, at home."  The new Website is the agency's first major interactive project for Farmer John since it was awarded digital responsibilities earlier this year.

"Farmer John has been a local tradition here in California for generations, so we set out to capture the brand's legacy of delivering the freshness and flavor that its friends and neighbors have come to expect from one of their own," said Sean McNamara, account director of Mendelsohn Zien. "We created this site with a singular purpose: demonstrate to the local community that no one understands the bold flavors and unique attitudes of Southern California better than Farmer John."

About Farmer John

Farmer John, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), is headquartered in Los Angeles. Farmer John produces more than 1,200 items for the retail and foodservice channels in the western United States. Offering an array of fresh and value-added protein products, the Farmer John® Brand holds leadership positions in many categories. The world-famous Dodger Dogs® are one of the many products marketed under the Farmer John® Brand. The company employs more than 1,500 people in Southern California. For additional information, please visit www.farmerjohn.com.

SOURCE Farmer John