How did “Hot Hog-ust Nights” work?

During the sales week of August 5^th, we partnered with Niman Ranch the special community promotion “Hot Hog-ust Nights”. For every pound of Niman Ranch Pork purchased from our Butcher’s Case, 25¢ each was to be donated to the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation and our local Sonoma County 4H programs. We combined the specially priced Niman Ranch pork cuts and the promotion with a weekly ad full of great match-ups at special pricing, along with some delicious recipes.

Was it successful?

For the week, the Oliver’s Meat Department sold 3,331.52 pounds of Niman Ranch Pork, resulting in a total donation of $1665.76, or $832.88 each to both the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation and our local Sonoma County 4H!

Hayley felt the promotion went even better than expected. “I think Sonoma County really came out to support Niman Ranch and Sonoma county 4H,” Hayley explained. “The promotion resulted in sales of 3-4 times more pork than average.”

Niman Ranch Hog Appreciation Weekend

Following the successful “Hot Hog-ust Nights”, Hayley and Stony Point Meat Department Manager Leanna Avila were able to take their donation check to Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation representatives directly when they attended the 27^th Annual Niman Ranch Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration August 22-24 in Des Moines, Iowa.

At the event, joined by retailers, chefs, journalists, buyers, wholesalers, field agents and Niman Ranch farmers, they were treated to amazing tours and experiences. They learned about the history of Niman Ranch and how it began with one farmer, Paul Willis, 30 years ago. They also learned how chefs around the USA are using Niman Ranch products, the environmental impact of Niman Ranch and their sustainability practices, generational trends on pork consumption, and much more.

“It was great going to the farms and seeing how pigs are being treated and raised,” Hayley explained. “They literally let pigs be pigs in traditional settings.”

Capping off the event was the “Farmer Awards and Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation Scholarship and Grant Ceremony”.  Our donation resulted in a Tier 4 scholarship that will help the next generation of farmers in college to either prepare for a job in agriculture or graduate with a degree preparing them to succeed as  a 3rd, 4th, or 5th generation farmer. This year Niman Ranch hit $2 Million in scholarship or grant money to award the farmers or college student applicants.

Will there be future  “Hot Hog-ust Nights” at Oliver’s?  

“I am hoping to have this be an annual program if possible,” Hayley said. “The promotion was a huge success. We supported our Sonoma County 4H through their General Fund, empowering and educating local youth in agriculture, along with the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation, preparing the next generation of farmers in sustainable agriculture. Both organizations are groups that our company and our customers can feel good about supporting.”