HATCH, Indiana Pork partner for National Pork Month push on protein access

HATCH is teaming with Indiana Pork and the National Pork Board in October to spotlight pork producers and expand awareness of protein access in the charitable food system. The effort aims to connect agriculture, nutrition education and hunger relief as families face ongoing demand for affordable, high-quality protein.

Why it matters: - The partnership is aimed at improving access to high-quality protein for families and individuals who rely on the charitable food system. - HATCH says the effort supports its broader mission to make complete nutrition more available through hunger-relief partnerships. - The collaboration also links pork producers with nutrition education and community outreach during National Pork Month.

What happened: - HATCH partnered with Indiana Pork to mark National Pork Month. - The National Pork Board is also part of the October partnership. - The groups will highlight pork producers and the role pork plays in communities across the country. - The campaign will run throughout October.

The details: - HATCH, NPB and Indiana Pork will share stories, educational content and information about pork producers and protein access. - The effort is designed to raise awareness of protein as part of a nutritious diet. - Danny Leckie, CEO of HATCH, said National Pork Month gives the organizations a chance to celebrate the people behind pork and its impact when it reaches families through the charitable food system. - Josh Trenary, executive director of Indiana Pork, said the partnership offers a way to show how local farmers and large-scale production both help communities access nutritious food. - Kristen Hicks-Roof, senior director of human nutrition at the National Pork Board, said pork is a nutrient-dense, high-quality protein that supports balanced eating across life stages. - HATCH says the partnership underscores the connection between agriculture and the charitable food system. - The organizations say collaboration among producers, industry partners and hunger-relief groups can move more nutritious food to people who need it. - HATCH was founded in 2015 and focuses on lasting access to complete nutrition through partnerships with hunger-relief organizations. - HATCH works as a sourcing partner, connecting protein producers with hunger-relief organizations and helping address sourcing challenges. - HATCH is a founding partner of the Coalition to Close the Protein Gap, a $40 million public-private initiative. - The coalition aims to build infrastructure and supply chains to deliver 3 billion protein-rich meals each year. - Indiana Pork represents nearly 2,200 pig farmers in the state. - Indiana Pork says Indiana ranks among the top five states in pork production. - Indiana Pork says the industry contributes more than $3 billion annually to the state economy and supports more than 14,000 Hoosier jobs. - The National Pork Board oversees Pork Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects. - The Pork Checkoff funds programs in consumer education, marketing, export promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety, and environmental management and sustainability. - The U.S. pork industry has spent the past half-century reducing the environmental impact of pig farming, according to the National Pork Board. - Pork producers contribute $0.35 for each $100 value of hogs sold through the national Pork Checkoff. - Importers of pork products also contribute under the Checkoff formula. - More information is available at Indiana Pork and Pork Checkoff programs.

Between the lines: - The partnership gives pork industry groups a charitable-food narrative that goes beyond consumer marketing. - The message aligns agricultural production with hunger relief, which can help frame protein access as both a nutrition issue and a supply-chain issue. - The focus on education suggests the groups want to build public awareness alongside charitable distribution.

What's next: - HATCH, Indiana Pork and the National Pork Board will continue rolling out stories and educational content through October. - The partnership is likely to keep tying pork producer visibility to broader efforts to expand protein access in hunger-relief channels. - HATCH and its Coalition to Close the Protein Gap partners will continue working toward the 3 billion protein-rich meals target.

The bottom line: - The October campaign uses National Pork Month to connect pork production, nutrition education and charitable food access in one coordinated push.