US pork recipe label programme expands to Wal-Mart stores nationwide

A test of pork chop on-pack recipe labels at 500 Wal-Mart stores last year has led to the expansion of the programme to all 3,400 Wal-Mart stores nationwide, the National Pork Board (NPB) announced.

The Pork Checkoff partnered with Wal-Mart, Yerecic Label and Tyson Fresh Pork to test the labels on packages of fresh boneless and bone-in pork chops.

The labels offered consumers one of eight different recipes with one to three ingredients and suggested cooking times.

During the test period last summer, pork chop sales increased 4 percent, while pork chop markdowns decreased 2 percent, for a total 6 percent swing in incremental sales.

Pork Checkoff's retail marketing manager for the western region, Patrick Fleming said while this may not sound like a huge number, it's a big deal because of the sheer volume and tonnage of pork that Wal-Mart moves.