Where Does Kroger Bacon Come From? The Complete Journey from Farm to Table

As a bacon lover, I often wondered where my favorite Kroger bacon comes from. Like many grocery chains, Kroger sources their bacon from various suppliers across the country. After doing some digging, I learned about the complex journey bacon takes – from farm to processing facility to my local Kroger store.

In this article, we’ll take a close look at the origins of Kroger bacon, the pork industry in America, and the long process involved in bringing delicious bacon from farm to table. Let’s start from the beginning!

Kroger Bacon Comes from Trusted Suppliers Nationwide

Kroger, established in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates over 2,700 grocery stores across 35 states. They offer a wide selection of fresh produce, meat, dairy and more.

For their bacon Kroger partners with numerous trusted meat suppliers located throughout the United States. This ensures they consistently source high-quality sustainable bacon to stock their shelves.

Some of Kroger’s key bacon suppliers include

• Greenfield Natural Meat Co. – Located in Connecticut, this company produces natural and organic meat products. Their bacon contains no antibiotics or added hormones.

• Smithfield Foods – With facilities across North Carolina, including the world’s largest pork plant, Smithfield supplies bacon from pigs raised in NC and beyond.

• Smaller family farms – Kroger partners with small farms across the country that commit to humane, sustainable practices.

No matter the supplier, Kroger upholds strict standards for quality, safety and responsible sourcing for all their bacon products.

Diving Into the Pork Industry in America

In order to understand where bacon comes from, we need to take a closer look at the pork industry as a whole in the United States.

Some key facts:

• Pork is the most consumed meat globally.

• The US pork industry employs over 500,000 people and generates billions in revenue annually.

• North Carolina leads pork production with 7 Smithfield Foods facilities in the state.

• Smithfield sources pigs from NC, surrounding states and beyond to make various pork products.

• The industry faces challenges like supply chain disruptions, inflation, and animal welfare regulations.

• Foreign animal diseases threaten domestic pork production, which could cause billions in losses.

Though not without challenges, the pork industry remains an essential part of the American economy and food system. The bacon on Kroger shelves comes directly from this large, complex industry.

Tracing the Journey from Farm to Table

Now, let’s trace the entire journey bacon takes before it arrives at your local Kroger.

1. Pigs are raised on large industrial farms, often in crowded conditions. The farms use various methods aimed at faster growth and preventing disease.

2. Once ready for processing, pigs are transported to slaughterhouses for slaughter and butchering into cuts of meat.

3. Pork bellies are cured in a brine solution with water, salt, smoke flavoring and spices. This is what gives bacon its signature flavor.

4. The cured pork bellies are cooked and frozen to make slicing easier.

5. Bacon is cooked again, inspected, packaged and shipped to distributors.

6. Distributors deliver bacon to grocery store chains like Kroger across the country.

7. Shoppers like you and me can find bacon ready for cooking on Kroger shelves!

This complex supply chain allows bacon to travel hundreds or thousands of miles from farm to table. Understanding this journey gives me greater appreciation for my delicious breakfasts!

Kroger’s Commitment to Quality Bacon

Kroger recognizes that many consumers have concerns about how meat is raised and processed. In response, they partner with suppliers that commit to responsible practices:

• No antibiotics or added hormones
• Humane treatment of animals
• Sustainable farming methods
• Natural, high-quality feed
• Traditional curing techniques
• Third-party audits of facilities

This ensures the bacon is not only delicious, but aligns with consumer values as well. Kroger even offers specialty bacon lines that are:

• Organic
• Uncured
• Made from heritage pork breeds
• Nitrate-free
• Higher welfare certified

So we can enjoy bacon knowing Kroger is dedicated to sourcing it sustainably and transparently.

Bringing Home the Bacon

Next time I grab a pack of bacon at my neighborhood Kroger, I’ll feel much more connected to the incredible journey it made. Our food has so much more behind it than just the grocery store shelf.

The pork industry certainly has challenges to address, but by making sustainable choices we can all have a positive impact. Now, who wants a bacon breakfast sandwich? I think I just talked myself into one!