As a lifelong bacon enthusiast, I’ve tried just about every brand out there. One of my long-time favorites is Jamestown bacon, with its signature smoky, salty flavor. Whenever I cook up a package of those delicious pork strips, it gets me wondering – who actually makes this tasty bacon?
In this article I’ll uncover the mysterious origins of Jamestown bacon. You may be surprised to learn who is behind this popular breakfast staple. Let’s dive in!
Jamestown Bacon – A Bacon Lover’s Dream
Jamestown bacon first caught my attention years ago with its thick, evenly sliced strips and robust smoked flavor It had the perfect balance of meaty pork goodness and salty, savory smokiness While it’s not a fancy artisanal bacon, Jamestown has been a go-to choice for me when I’m looking for a dependable, high-quality bacon without breaking the bank.
Over the years I’ve bought Jamestown bacon everywhere from Walmart to small local grocers. It’s readily available across the country, and for good reason – people love it! The Jamestown name has become synonymous with delicious quintessential bacon.
Tracking Down the Mysterious Origins
Jamestown bacon packages feature an old-timey logo with the slogan “True Hickory Smoked Flavor Since 1926”. But who is actually behind this enduring bacon brand? The packaging itself provides few clues besides the Jamestown name.
After some detective work online, I discovered the maker of Jamestown bacon is…(drum roll please)…Smithfield Foods!
Smithfield Foods is the largest pork producer and processor in the world. The company owns famous brands like Farmland and Nathan’s Famous. Smithfield also produces other popular bacon brands like Gwaltney and Smithfield Premium.
Jamestown bacon is manufactured at Smithfield’s processing plants in Smithfield, Virginia. The company sources fresh pork from American farms which becomes Jamestown bacon through Smithfield’s curing and smoking process.
Smithfield Foods – The Bacon Juggernaut
While I always assumed Jamestown bacon came from some little smoker shop in a place called Jamestown, it’s actually the product of a massive meat corporation based in Smithfield, Virginia.
Smithfield Foods has been in business since 1936, and produces over 20 million pounds of bacon per week. That’s a lot of bacon!
Some key facts about this pork powerhouse:
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Employs over 40,000 people worldwide
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Revenue of $15 billion in 2021
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Exports to over 40 countries
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Raises 15 million hogs annually
Clearly, Smithfield Foods has bacon production down to a science. The company is able to leverage its size and distribution network to make Jamestown bacon widely available at a competitive price point.
However, Smithfield has faced criticism over its environmental impact and farming practices. This includes air and water pollution issues, as well as using gestation crates which restrict movement for breeding pigs. Animal welfare advocates have accused Smithfield of factory farming.
Still, there’s no denying the company utilizes efficient, large-scale production methods to deliver bacon to the masses. Jamestown is their classic, reasonably priced option with wide consumer appeal.
From Pig Farm to Packaging Plant
Now that I know Jamestown bacon is a Smithfield Foods product, I decided to dig into their process. Here is an overview of how pork goes from pig to packaged bacon:
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Hogs are raised on Smithfield company farms or contracted farms
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Pigs are transported to processing plants at 6 months old
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Pork is inspected, slaughtered, cleaned and processed
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Bellies are transported to curing facilities
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Bellies cured for 1-2 weeks with salt, sugar, nitrites
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Cured bellies are hickory smoked for up to 24 hours
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Bacon is sliced, packaged, and shipped to stores
It’s clear Smithfield has optimized modern mass production methods to pump out pallet-loads of Jamestown bacon. While not the craft bacon I buy from small smokehouses, Jamestown delivers on classic bacon flavor at an affordable price point.
Jamestown – Still a Favorite for Bacon Lovers
Even though it’s made by a giant corporation, Jamestown remains one of my favorite go-to bacons. Smithfield Foods has found consistent success with the Jamestown brand for over 90 years.
By blending traditional smoking practices with large-scale production efficiency, Jamestown offers timeless bacon flavor. The familiar red and white packaging transports me back to childhood weekend breakfasts.
Sure, I enjoy experimenting with small-batch artisanal bacons too. But when I need something tasty and reliable for less, I know I can depend on good ‘ole Jamestown bacon. Its nostalgic flavor never lets me down.
The mystery of Jamestown bacon’s origins is solved. While not a product of some quaint little smokehouse in a place called Jamestown, it still delivers on tasty tradition. This bacon lover tips his hat to Smithfield Foods for keeping the sizzle alive!
Top 14 Food Allergen Free!
What is Jamestown Brand Irregular Slices Value Bacon from Lidl Really Like?
What is Jamestown brand?
Jamestown Brand lets you know immediately that you’re about to purchase not-so-stellar bacon. First, the packaging.
Why does Jamestown Bacon burn?
Jamestown Brand bacon is sliced into ridiculously thin strips, causing it to burn shortly after being put to heat. Then there are the strips that aren’t really strips at all. Portions of the bacon consist of small pieces of varying thickness that are all smashed together, forming a gooey slab that’s not easy to peel apart.
Which brand of bacon is best?
The taste is pleasing enough, thanks to the natural hardwood smoke preparation. At its best, Hormel Black Label Original Bacon is a fully utilitarian brand of bacon — it gets the job done. Thankfully, Hormel boasts another bacon product that’s far better. 7. Boar’s Head Traditional Bacon
Is Aberdeen farms irregularly sliced value Bacon too sodium-packed?
These claims that Aberdeen Farms Irregularly Sliced Value Bacon is too sodium-packed and fat-rich seem to be backed up by its nutritional information, which shows that it contains 10% of both your recommended sodium and saturated fat intake in just a half-ounce of product. Personally, we’d give this pork product a wide berth.
Is Smithfield hometown Original Bacon good?
Smithfield Hometown Original Bacon, one of Smithfield’s many bacon products, is a thin, vaguely disappointing affair. With super-slim pieces of bacon, when it’s cooked, it reduces even more in size, and you end up with disappointing slices that have no bite to them.
Does Smithfield’s Bacon have nitrites?
It’s also got a notable amount of sodium, providing 290 milligrams in two slices of bacon. Considering that these slices are thin anyway, that’s a fair amount. And to top it all off, Smithfield’s bacon also contains nitrites, which is never a great sign.