Where Does Hormel Bacon Come From? A Look at This Iconic Brand’s Bacon Origins

Crispy savory bacon is a staple breakfast food for many American households. And when we think bacon the Hormel name inevitably comes to mind. But where exactly does Hormel bacon come from? As one of the major U.S. food brands, Hormel has a long history steeped in quality bacon production. Let’s explore the origins and manufacturing process behind this popular pork product.

A Humble Start to Hormel’s Bacon Legacy

George A Hormel founded Hormel Foods in 1891 in Austin, Minnesota. It began as a small local butcher shop, producing fresh meats, sausages, and ham. By the early 1900s, Hormel expanded into wholesale distribution of pork and beef products.

In 1926, Hormel released one of the first canned, pre-cooked hams nationally. This revolutionary product increased shelf-life and convenience. Canned Spam followed in 1937, which became a staple for soldiers in WWII.

In the 1950s, Hormel entered the bacon market. As refrigeration advanced, Hormel was able to deliver fresh packaged bacon nationwide. Bacon became an integral part of their growth.

Today Hormel’s refrigerated foods division, which includes bacon, accounts for $500 million in annual retail sales. After 128 years, bacon remains an iconic Hormel product.

Where Hormel Bacon is Produced

Hormel owns over 30 production facilities in the United States, including:

• Austin, MN (corporate headquarters)
• Algona, IA
• Beloit, WI
• Dubuque, IA
• Fremont, NE

These plants process most of Hormel’s pork for retail bacon products. The pork comes from Midwest farms that meet the company’s animal care standards.

Hormel’s team of live production experts oversee each step, from meat selection to packaging. This ensures uniform quality and food safety across all facilities.

While exact manufacturing details are proprietary, Hormel has shared some of its bacon production secrets over the years.

How Hormel Bacon is Made

To transform pork into slices of tasty bacon, it undergoes a multi-step process:

• Pork belly selection: Only highest quality bellies are hand-picked.

• Trimming: Bellies are trimmed to precise size specs.

• Curing: Salt, sugar, and nitrites cure the meat for days.

• Smoking: The pork smokes over natural hardwood for flavor.

• Cooking: The bacon cooks until the desired doneness is reached.

• Slicing: It is precisely sliced to uniform thickness.

• Packaging: Hormel vacuum seals the bacon for freshness.

The careful smoking and curing techniques have been passed down for generations at Hormel to produce flawless bacon.

Range of Retail Bacon Products

From original to turkey, Hormel provides an array of bacon varieties:

• Black Label – original, thick cut, lower sodium

• Jennie-O – maple, applewood, turkey

• Applegate – natural, organic, turkey

They offer selections to meet diverse preferences and dietary needs. All are made with care using time-honored processes.

Why Hormel Bacon is Trusted

Several key factors contribute to Hormel’s bacon leadership:

• 128 years of expertise – They’ve perfected processes over decades

• High food safety standards – State-of-the-art facilities and protocols

• Quality ingredients – Carefully sourced pork and spices

• Precision craftsmanship – Skilled workers oversees each batch

• Product innovation – Diverse bacon portfolio to satisfy every consumer

• Consumer listening – Regular input guides new products

By staying true to founder George Hormel’s commitment to quality and family values, the Hormel name has earned remarkable consumer trust through the generations.

Discover Hormel’s Secret to Delicious Bacon

From its early days as a Minnesota butcher shop to a modern food giant, Hormel has maintained an unwavering dedication to bacon excellence. Their proprietary smoking and curing techniques produce consistent, top-quality results. When you see the Hormel label, you can bite into that crisp, savory slice with confidence, knowing over a century of bacon mastery went into its creation. So next time you cook up a tasty breakfast of eggs and bacon, remember the rich heritage behind the Hormel name!