A PIG farming business has joined an annual event to celebrate all that is great about British bacon – by creating its own unique ‘Staffy’ sandwich.
Barton under Needwood-based Packington Free Range, which specialises in pork and poultry, revealed that as part of Bacon Connoisseurs Week, which runs until Sunday, it has created ‘The Staffy’ sandwich using ingredients from across the county and its own free-range locally cured bacon.
Packington Free Range partner Alec Mercer said: “We’re proud to be from Staffordshire and we want people to know about the quality of food available on their doorsteps.
“Everyone loves bacon sandwiches and we think that everyone should love their local butchers and bakers too.
‘’In light of the recent horsemeat scandal that has cast a shadow over the food industry, consumers have become increasingly concerned over the reliability and provenance of their meat.
“We at Packington feel that it is of vital importance now more than ever, to help instill confidence in consumers about the quality, reliability and traceability factor of buying local produce.’’
Bacon sandwiches have long topped polls of Britain’s 50 greatest national treasures, taking the number one position above the traditional roast dinner and a cup of tea.
To create the nation’s favourite culinary treat, Packington Free Range joined forces with food producers, Lichfield-based Hindleys Bakery and Cottage Delight, from Leek.
The key ingredients of bacon, bread and of course, lashings of sauce which make up ‘The Staffy’ sandwich, are all locally sourced, prepped and cooked.
Packington Free Range have been rearing pigs for four generations.
The sandwich itself is made from Staffordshire spelt bread and Cottage Delight’s Bacon Butty Sauce – a secret recipe which packs a punch and adds a twist to the classic recipe.
A salad topping of tomatoes, roasted pimiento peppers, spinach leaves and ripe avocado makes for a refreshing accompaniment.
Mr Mercer added: “This is our favourite way to make a bacon sandwich, but we’re keen to hear how everyone else likes to eat theirs.”
People are being urged to tweet the firm during the week via @PackingtonFR using the hashtag #howdoyoueatyours.
Further information is available by visiting www.packingtonfreerange.co.uk
Packington Free Range began life in 1922 in Harleston and has always been run by the Mercer family.
It was originally involved in all aspects of farming, from pedigree pigs for breeding to cereal crops, before narrowing its vision to just chickens and pigs.
The company was started by Percy Mercer but the reins were handed down to Roger before brothers Rob and Alec took on the mammoth task.
The firm now supplies 130 butchers.
