The seventh annual Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week is to run from 18th- 24th March 2013. Run by BPEX, the week will encourage consumers to ‘think again about bacon’ by providing a showcase for the quality and variety of bacon produced today, such as that identified by the Red Tractor mark.There will be a host of activity run nationwide to raise awareness of Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week and help bacon makers, retailers and foodservice outlets maximise the benefits of taking part, including new recipe ideas and a celebrity-led PR campaign. BPEX butchery and product development manager, Keith Fisher, said: “With literally hundreds of varieties now available, bacon has grown to become a £1.36 billion industry. Almost a third of bacon is now consumed as part of the evening meal, proving that as well as enjoying bacon at breakfast, consumers are increasingly favouring the variety of flavour hits bacon can bring to their dinner tables. And with over 227,500 tonnes bought per year, it’s a must have household purchase. “Consumers are becoming increasingly discerning too, so rigorous production standards and attention to detail are more important than ever before in order to produce and promote really good quality bacon. This makes Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week an incredibly important platform and one which retailers and producers can use to make their premium bacon varieties stand out. “The Week can be used by anyone that produces, sells or serves great bacon and there are many simple and rewarding ways to get involved.

“Whether running special promotions, introducing new varieties, holding charity and fun events or putting your rashers to the test in the Great Bacon Awards, Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week can put the sizzle into your quality bacon sales.”Campaign updates and regular announcements will be made over the coming months or visit porkforbutchers.bpex.org.uk/ and porkforcaterers.bpex.org.uk/ for more information.

This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.