Organizers of this week’s World Pork Expo expect 20,000 visitors from 50 countries to be in Des Moines for the festivities.
“Everything’s better with bacon. We know that, so we’re going to go out on a limb and try some crazy bacon treats throughout the day,” says Cindy Cunningham, a spokeswoman for the National Pork Board.
Visitors who stop by the hospitality tent sponsored by the Pork Checkoff will be able to sample some unique bacon-flavored items.
“Bacon donuts, bacon Wonder Bars — instead of just plain old nuts on your Wonder Bar, how about adding some bacon to the outside of that chocolate? — as well as a number of other bacon treats (like) bacon popcorn, bacon coffee,” she says.
The World Pork Expo starts today and will be held on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Cunningham says pork producers will be able to attend several “Pork Academy” sessions.
“And pork in that case stands for ‘Producers Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge,'” she says. “Pork Academy seminars last about 45 minute a piece and they run all day Wednesday and all day Thursday, hitting those hot topics,” she says.
One of the seminars will focus on the recent outbreak of a virus that veterinarians say can kill up to 80 percent of baby pigs in a herd until the sows develop immunity to the virus. The virus is not transmitted to humans and is not considered a threat to food safety. Officials say the virus has been confirmed in swine herds in Iowa and three other states.
It costs $15 to get into the World Pork Expo if you’re an adult. Tickets are $3 for kids between the ages of six and 11.
(Reporting by Dan Skelton, KICD, Spencer)