Cook-off Season is in full Swing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 10, 2024 

Editors Note: Photo(s) Attached Suggested Caption: PPPC takes the center stage at the Penn State vs Illinois Football game.  

Cook-Off Season is in full Swing 

The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council (PPPC) teamed up with Penn State Football for an exciting 3rd Annual Fan Fest Rib Cookoff during the pre-game festivities at the Nittany Lions’ home game on September 28th. Eight competitive BBQ teams fired up their smokers, but it was M.A.D. BBQ from Elizabethtown, PA, that walked away with top honors. 

During the halftime show, PPPC President Ben Barcovtch had the privilege of presenting the championship trophy to the M.A.D. BBQ team on-field, celebrating their masterpiece in front of tens of thousands of Penn State fans. 

Throughout the day, PPPC engaged with visitors, sharing educational materials about the Pennsylvania pork industry while promoting the importance of pork in diets. A special thank you goes to Leidy’s Premium Meats for generously donating the ribs used in the contest, ensuring that all the teams had premium cuts to work with. 

In addition to the Fan Fest Rib Cookoff, the PPPC was proud to sponsor the pork category at the Keystone Classic BBQ State Championship, on October 5th, in Harrisburg, PA. Congratulations to Smokecraft Modern BBQ from Arlington, VA for winning the Pork Ribs category and to Ain’t That Rich from Cherry Hill, NJ for taking home the top prize in the Pork category.  

To learn more about the PA Pork Producers Council visit www.whypapork.com or follow along on social media @whypapork.  

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The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council (PPPC) administers the Pork Checkoff on behalf of the state’s nearly 3,000 pig farmers. PPPC acts as a steward for Pork Checkoff funds at the state level and is charged with executing specific programs in the areas of promotion, research and education. No funds may be used for lobbying or to influence government policy. Checkoff-funded promotions are designed to increase domestic pork sales through consumer, retail and food service outreach. Additionally, Checkoff-funded research is administered in all areas of pork production, processing and human nutrition to develop a higher quality, more profitable and innovative product in the competitive meat protein market.