Fast facts about the market for niche pork:

• 25% of consumers indicate a willingness to pay a 40% premium for certain niche pork attributes.
  2005 R Parker &Assoc./Aschcraft Research Study, “Evaluation of Importance to Consumers of Niche Pork Attributes
   

• 60% of chefs say they’re using a niche “protein” on their menu and 63% of those are using niche “pork”.
  2004 Technomic Study, "Restaurant Attitudes/Practices Regarding Niche Pork"
   
• Meat is the fastest-growing organic food category, increasing 55% in 2005. The total organic food category was $14 billion in 2005 representing 2.5% of retail food sales, up from 1.9% in 2003.
  Organic Trade Association's (OTA) 2006 Manufacturer Survey
   
• Foods that are closer to the farm (i.e. homestead, sustainably grown, free range and grass fed, produced with respect for the land, animal, and workers) continue to capture premium food and beverage markets worldwide.
  April 2005 Food Technology, “Top 10 Global Food Trends”
   
• 65% of Americans have tried organic foods and beverages, up from 54% in 2003 and 2004.
  2005 Organic Trend Tracker from Whole Foods Market
   
• 69-74% of  consumers said they would definitely or probably buy locally grown meat in the future.
  2005 R Parker &Assoc./Aschcraft Research Study, “Evaluation of Importance to Consumers of Niche Pork Attributes”

Go Whole Hog for Local - December 2008

Hot New Cuts

Understanding Local from a Consumer Perspective - The Hartman Group, May 2008

Sustainability from a Consumer Perspective - The Hartman Group, Fall 2007

Loco for Local - Progressive Grocer, April 1, 2008

They Know Meat - Progressive Grocer, April 1, 2008

Organic Meat Sales Show Huge Gains - meatingplace.com, November 14, 2007

Americans Like Hamburgers, Locally Grown, and Convenience foods Poll - meatingplace.com, November 8, 2007

Berkshire Breaks Through - February 2006 issue of MeatingPlace