Indiana Pork Farmers Step Up to Expand Protein Access for Families in Need

HATCH is partnering with IN Pork and NPB to strengthen pork access, nutrition education, and industry collaboration across the charitable food system.

CARMEL, IN, UNITED STATES, October 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- HATCH, the nation’s largest nonprofit addressing protein insecurity, has partnered with Indiana Pork to celebrate National Pork Month.

Throughout National Pork Month, HATCH, the National Pork Board (NPB), and Indiana Pork will spotlight the work of pork producers and the ways the pork industry contributes to communities across the country. The partnership will help bring greater awareness to the importance of protein in a nutritious diet while highlighting the producers, organizations, and partners working to make high-quality protein more accessible.

“Pork producers play a crucial role in helping communities access the nutritious protein they need,” said Danny Leckie, CEO of HATCH. “National Pork Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the people behind the product and recognize the impact that pork can have when it reaches families and individuals through the charitable food system.”

“Indiana’s pork producers are proud to play a role in feeding people both here at home and across the country,” said Josh Trenary, Executive Director of Indiana Pork. “This partnership with HATCH provides an opportunity to highlight the people behind pork and the important role our industry can play in helping communities access nutritious food through both local farmers in their own communities or large-scale production on the grocery store shelf.”

“Pork is a nutrient-dense, high-quality source of protein that plays an important role in balanced eating across life stages. National Pork Month is a great opportunity to recognize the producers who make this nutritious food possible and to highlight the importance of making quality protein accessible to more people. We’re proud to support efforts that connect the work of pork producers with the communities they help feed,” said Kristen Hicks-Roof, Ph.D., RDN, LDN, FAND, Senior Director of Human Nutrition, National Pork Board.

As part of the National Pork Month partnership, HATCH, NPB and Indiana Pork will share stories, educational content and information throughout October highlighting pork producers and the importance of protein access.

The partnership also underscores the connection between agriculture and the charitable food system. When producers, industry partners and hunger-relief organizations work together, more nutritious food can make its way to the people who need it most.

ABOUT HATCH

Founded in 2015, HATCH is on a mission to make lasting access to complete nutrition a reality for every community. Through partnerships with hunger relief organizations nationwide, HATCH helps deliver fresh, high-quality protein to families who need it most, creating stability, dignity, and nourishment where it’s often hardest to find. As a sourcing partner, HATCH connects protein producers with hunger relief organizations, helping navigate sourcing challenges and create sustainable pathways for nutritious protein to reach communities in need. HATCH is also a founding partner of the Coalition to Close the Protein Gap, a $40 million public-private initiative bringing together leaders across government, agriculture, industry, philanthropy, and hunger relief to permanently close America’s charitable protein gap. Together, Coalition partners are working to build the infrastructure and supply chain needed to deliver 3 billion protein-rich meals each year. HATCH is building a future where nutritious food is not a privilege, but a shared foundation for stronger, healthier generations to come. Follow HATCH on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. 

ABOUT INDIANA PORK

Indiana Pork represents nearly 2,200 pig farmers across the state and is dedicated to promoting pork, supporting producers, and educating consumers about modern pork production. Indiana ranks among the top five states in pork production, with the industry contributing more than $3 billion annually to Indiana's economy and supporting more than 14,000 Hoosier jobs. For more information, visit www.indianapork.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL PORK BOARD

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Pork Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in consumer education and marketing, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety, and environmental management and sustainability. For the past half century, the U.S. pork industry has delivered on its commitment to sustainable production and has made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of pig farming. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.35 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or visit porkcheckoff.org.  

Hannah Burton
HATCH For Hunger
+1 317-719-2364
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