Where to Find Gwaltney’s Legendary Beef Bacon Today

For those missing the smoky, savory taste of Gwaltney beef bacon, the hunt is on to locate this discontinued delicacy Once a popular brand in the 1970s through 1990s, Gwaltney beef bacon offered a leaner, beefier alternative to pork bacon But when Smithfield Foods acquired Gwaltney in the early 2000s, beef bacon faded from store shelves.

Is it possible to still get your hands on a pack of this breakfast classic? Let’s delve into the history of Gwaltney beef bacon and the options remaining for enterprising shoppers today. While no nationwide supply exists, we’ll uncover some specialty retailers and online souces keeping the Gwaltney bacon dream alive

Remembering Gwaltney Beef Bacon

Before determining where to find it let’s reminisce about what made Gwaltney beef bacon so special

• Launched in the 1970s by Gwaltney of Smithfield company
• Offered as a lower-fat alternative to pork bacon
• Had a robust, smoky beef flavor
• Contained less grease when cooked compared to pork
• Formed crispier edges and chewier middles than bacon
• Allowed kosher and halal eaters to enjoy “bacon”
• Joined other brands like Sizzlean in the fake meat market
• Sometimes labeled as “beef breakfast strips”

For those craving bacon but avoiding pork, Gwaltney became the household name for beef bacon.

The Disappearance of Gwaltney Beef Bacon

Like its competitor Sizzlean, Gwaltney beef bacon slowly faded from store shelves in the 1990s and 2000s. What factors led to its demise?

• Smithfield Foods purchased Gwaltney in the early 2000s, consolidating brands
• Turkey bacon emerged as a more popular lean bacon option
• Higher costs and lower demand pushed it out of major stores
• Health trends preferred turkey bacon’s fat and cholesterol profile
• Niche status meant few consumers depended on its availability
• Product was likely discontinued around 2010 after declining sales

While a cult favorite, Gwaltney beef bacon lacked the market share to survive big brand mergers. Quality couldn’t protect it from macro trends.

The Hunt for Gwaltney Beef Bacon Today

Finding Gwaltney beef bacon today requires some detective work. Here are a few options remaining for beef bacon devotees:

• Specialty Butchers: Some independant butchers and meat markets offer occasional inventory. Stock is limited based on supplier availability.

• Online Mail Order: Small e-tailers may carry or source frozen packs for mail delivery. Pricing is higher given specialty status.

• Vintage Resale: Those lucky enough to have frozen, unused boxes may resell them through marketplaces like eBay. Rarity drives up prices.

• Restaurant Supply: Commercial suppliers with long-standing brand relationships sometimes have surplus inventory still. Quantities are low.

• International Imports: Gwaltney bacon may appear in other countries where the brand still operates retail markets. Importing adds overhead.

• Make Your Own: Dedicated do-it-yourselfers recreate recipes using beef, spices, and curing methods. Results vary.

Why So Difficult to Find?

Several key factors explain the scarcity of Gwaltney beef bacon today:

• Discontinued Production: Smithfield ceased manufacturing it years ago, destroying the supply chain.

• Limited Demand: With few loyal buyers remaining, nearly no market exists to justify restarting production.

• Lost Distribution: Major retail pipelines like grocery stores no longer carry or promote it.

• Smithfield Focus Elsewhere: As a giant conglomerate, Smithfield shifted focus away from niche products.

• Cultural Shift: Consumer trends preferred leaner breakfast proteins like turkey bacon instead.

Simply put, once America moved on from beef bacon, Gwaltney followed suit and directed its efforts towards more profitable pork products.

Can Beef Bacon Make a Comeback?

Is there hope for Gwaltney beef bacon’s resurrection? Possibly, but the odds seem long. Here are some considerations:

• Consumer Nostalgia: Enough demand from bacon fans reminiscing could draw interest.

• Specialty Appeal: As a premium, artisanal breakfast meat, it fits foodie trends.

• New Production Methods: Modern commercial meat manufacturing could recreate it cost-effectively.

• Brand Licensing: Smithfield could license the product to a niche producer, providing built-in brand equity.

• Trend Reversal: If perceptions swing back from turkey bacon, beef bacon could rise again.

However, substantial barriers stand in the way, from consumer awareness to competing against pork. Only time will tell if the beef bacon market heats up again.

Can Other Brands Fill the Void?

Rather than wait for a Gwaltney comeback, are any current brands providing quality beef bacon? A few options exist:

• Nueske’s: This Wisconsin butcher is renowned for its bacon and offers a beef version. It’s very pricey yet faithful to beef bacon roots.

• Oscar Mayer: Their “Selects” line includes beef bacon patties capturing familiar flavors. But some say it differs from true sliced beef bacon.

• Wellshire Farms: Their beef or turkey bacons appeal to natural food fans. Many appreciate the ingredients yet say Gwaltney can’t be mimicked.

• Homemade Recipes: Dedicated beef bacon fans try mixing ground beef with spices to replicate Gwaltney’s balance of smoky and meaty tastes.

While these brands fill the void, beef bacon purists insist none offer the exact taste and texture of the original Gwaltney.

Keeping Gwaltney’s Memory Alive

Although Gwaltney beef bacon is commercially extinct, its pioneering spirit lives on for diehard fans. Here are some ways its legacy persists:

• Memories and reviews of its signature flavor profile stay etched in our minds.

• Sharing its history and images online let new generations discover it.

• Homemade beef bacon recipes work to recreate the essence and crunch.

• Clamoring for its comeback demonstrates public passion.

• Appreciating beef bacon’s influence on breakfast culture honors it.

• Trying alternatives supports the market niche it carved out.

Gwaltney blazed the trail for leaner, innovative breakfast meats. And for those craving that smoky, beefy, bacony fix, some options still sizzle. So keep hunting, beef bacon believers!