Missouri’s governor has issued a proclamation declaring October as pork month in the Show-Me State.
Governor Mike Parson signed the proclamation in Jefferson City before his trade mission to Japan. He was joined by state Department of Agriculture (MDA) director Chris Chinn and by Missouri Pork Association executive vice president Don Nikodim, who’s been with the Columbia-based MPA for 40 years.
“Pork month is an annual occurrence. Usually, well it’s always during October. That’s a historic time of year when there’s just lots of great pork available. We like to tout the fact that it’s an excellent buy and you can do so many things with it,” Mr. Nikodim says.
He tells 939 the Eagle that demand for pork is good, both internationally and domestically. He also describes pork as a super value for consumers at the grocery store.
“From a consumer standpoint, this is kind of the highlight that they can focus on and put a lot of pork on the grill or in the crockpot or the oven or however you’d like to fix it,” says Nikodim.
Several state lawmakers and Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined Governor Parson, Director Chinn and Mr. Nikodim at the ceremony.
Governor Parson’s proclamation notes the pork industry contributes more than $1-billion annually to the state’s economy. Missouri ranks sixth or seventh in the nation in pork production, depending on the month.
