BRIDGEWATER, N.J., May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As Memorial Day weekend kicks off the "unofficial" start of summer, a new poll of more than 2,000 Americans shows that the activity they are most looking forward to this season is a backyard barbecue with friends and family.

The survey sponsored by Applegate, the nation's leading provider of natural and organic meat, shows that 60 percent of those polled said backyard grilling was the activity they were most excited about this summer, and 40 percent said they wanted more outdoor cooking this summer. The top items for that grill: cheeseburgers, corn on the cob and hot dogs, in that order.

"An estimated 38 percent of hot dogs are sold between Memorial Day and Labor Day," says Stephen McDonnell, Applegate co-founder and CEO. "So now is a good time to take a look at what's in those hot dogs. And when you don't have to worry about what's in your hot dog, you can enjoy thinking about what's on it."

Applegate hot dogs are made with simple ingredients like beef, water, sea salt and spices and from animals never administered antibiotics. Applegate hot dogs also have about 50 percent less fat and 40 percent less sodium than conventional hot dogs.

To help Americans think more about what goes on their hot dogs – beyond ketchup and mustard – Applegate created a "Hot Dogs & the City" video that spotlights regional frankfurter frills from coast to coast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zBy-R19VrM. Applegate is inviting Americans to weigh in on which city has the best-dressed dogs and offer their own insights on what makes the quintessential hot dog topping in their hometown.

Frank fans can enter to win a year-supply of hot dogs by visiting https://www.facebook.com/applegatefarms/app_180820282047332 and leaving a comment with their topping idea. Applegate will select a favorite and award the prize by May 31, 2013.

About the Survey
The research was conducted by Toluna's On-line Omnibus; interviews were completed on April 30 through May 2, 2013.  The sample of 2,199 respondents is representative of U.S. adults aged 18+ and is balanced on three key demographics: age, sex, and region of the U.S.

About Applegate
For more than 25 years, Applegate has been producing high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products.  Natural can mean many things, but when Applegate says their products are natural, consumers are guaranteed that the meat inside is:

• Raised without antibiotics or hormones
• From animals fed a vegetarian or 100% grass diet and treated with humane animal standards
• Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
• Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives

For more information about our products, visit www.Applegate.com, or engage with us on Twitter @Applegate, Facebook, and Pinterest.

SOURCE Applegate