When it comes to culinary icons, bacon remains a firm favourite across the UK – versatile, indulgent, and undeniably delicious.
But what if we went a step further and declared June National Bacon Month?
Not just a celebration of the familiar rasher in your breakfast bap, but a month-long ode to high-quality, high-welfare, responsibly sourced bacon and its lesser-known by-products.
In this blog post, we're making the case for why June deserves to be dedicated to bacon — the right kind of bacon.
Why Bacon Deserves a Month of Its Own
Bacon has been part of the British culinary tradition for centuries, from traditional back bacon in a fry-up to streaky bacon wrapped around sausages at Christmas. But beyond its familiar comforts lies a growing movement: a demand for better bacon — ethical, flavourful, and free from unnecessary additives.
June is the perfect month for National Bacon Month. It marks the beginning of summer, bringing with it the scent of weekend BBQs and alfresco breakfasts. It’s the season of food festivals, garden parties, and leisurely Sunday brunches – all ideal settings for showcasing bacon in its best forms.
Quality Over Quantity: High-Welfare, High-Quality Bacon
Not all bacon is created equal. Supporting National Bacon Month gives us a chance to shift focus from mass-produced supermarket packs to bacon from small-scale, high-welfare farms. Look for bacon that's:
Outdoor-reared or free-range, ideally RSPCA Assured or certified by the Soil Association
From heritage or rare breed pigs, known for their depth of flavour and ethical rearing
Cured naturally, often by hand, using traditional methods
By celebrating bacon in this way, we not only support British farmers but also encourage consumers to ask where their meat comes from and how it’s been produced.
The Nitrate-Free Revolution
For many, bacon’s only downside has been its traditional curing process, which often includes sodium nitrates – linked to health concerns when consumed in excess. Fortunately, a new wave of artisanal producers is leading the charge with nitrate-free bacon, cured naturally with sea salt and fruit extracts.
National Bacon Month would be the perfect opportunity to highlight and promote these healthier, cleaner alternatives, encouraging consumers to make informed choices without compromising on flavour or texture.
Bacon Beyond the Rasher: Lard, Scratchings and Sustainability
Bacon doesn’t stop at breakfast. A celebration of bacon should also shine a light on its derivatives, many of which are rooted in zero-waste, nose-to-tail eating principles.
Lard: Once vilified, lard is making a comeback as a natural, sustainable fat. Ideal for pastry, roast potatoes, and frying, lard is flavourful, affordable, and far less processed than many modern cooking oils.
Pork Scratchings: When made from high-quality pig skin and minimal ingredients, pork scratchings become a nostalgic yet modern bar snack – rich in protein and satisfying with a pint.
Bacon Drippings: Don’t toss that leftover fat – use it to season greens, roast vegetables, or make a truly decadent bacon gravy.
By embracing these elements, National Bacon Month could encourage consumers to reduce waste and rediscover traditional ingredients with a modern, health-conscious twist.
Supporting Local, Artisan Producers
This movement also provides a platform for British bacon producers — many of whom are independent butchers and farms – to gain visibility. From traditional Wiltshire cure to dry-aged Suffolk bacon, these producers bring craftsmanship and passion to the table. A month dedicated to bacon could inspire more people to visit their local farmers’ markets, discover new varieties, and learn about curing methods.
What Could National Bacon Month Look Like?
Imagine a June filled with:
Bacon pop-ups and markets featuring nitrate-free and heritage bacon
Workshops on traditional curing methods
Tasting menus and recipe contests showcasing bacon in unexpected ways – think bacon-washed cocktails or vegan dishes paired with lard-based pastry alternatives
Retail spotlights promoting British, high-welfare bacon brands
Charity tie-ins supporting sustainable agriculture or food poverty projects through bacon sales
Let’s Make It Official
Food months are about more than just consumption — they’re about culture, awareness, and celebration. National Bacon Month in June would offer a delicious yet meaningful way to:
Champion British farming and ethical animal welfare
Encourage sustainable eating practices
Showcase healthier, nitrate-free bacon
Reclaim traditional by-products like lard and scratchings with pride
So here's to the bacon butty, the smoky strip atop your salad, the drippings in your roast potatoes, and everything in between. Let’s celebrate bacon — properly.
Let’s make June National Bacon Month. Who’s in?
https://nationalpigassociation.co.uk
https://ahdb.org.uk/pork
