Mike Sweeney, Kansas City Royals
Former Kansas City Royals player, Mike Sweeney is passionate about giving back to those in need and bacon.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Everyone loves bacon — even Santa! Instead of leaving out a plate of milk and cookies for Santa this Christmas Eve, Farmland is encouraging people to leave bacon instead.

Farmland has partnered up with former Kansas City Royals player, Mike Sweeney, and Harvesters — The Community Food Network in a social media campaign called #BaconForSanta. For every person who pledges on social media to leave bacon for Santa (using the hashtag #BaconForSanta), Farmland will donate 1 lb. of protein to the local Kansas City food bank.

“With more than 48 million Americans, including 15 million children, unsure of where their next meal will come from, it’s vital that we provide as much support as possible to help battle food insecurity,” said Harvesters President and CEO Valerie Nicholson-Watson. “We’re pleased to partner with Farmland on this campaign to help raise awareness for domestic hunger and ensure more families have meals this holiday season.”

The campaign kicked off Dec. 8 at Kansas City’s Union Station. Sweeney was joined by Santa’s elves as they helped spread the word about Santa’s love for bacon — while also sharing bacon treats with visitors.

#BaconForSanta fundraiser with Mike Sweeney, farmland and Harvesters
Farmland will donate a 1 lb. of protein for each social media mention of #BaconForSanta.

“What I love about the Farmland Bacon for Santa campaign is how it combines two things I’m most passionate about — giving back to those in need and my love for bacon,” Sweeney said. “I’m thrilled to partner with Farmland to help give Santa what he really wants for Christmas and more importantly to help strike out hunger in the Kansas City area this holiday season.”

The Bacon for Santa campaign will run through Dec. 24. Farmland will donate 1 lb. of protein (including bacon) to Harvesters (up to 25,000 lbs.) for each social media mention of #BaconForSanta.

“Giving back to local communities we serve is a cornerstone of Farmland’s core values, so we’re excited to be working with Mike and Harvesters to support such a great cause,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of corporate communications for Smithfield. “With your help, we can kick off Santa’s journey with the smell of sizzling bacon – as so many do to start their Christmas morning.”

To hear Santa’s plea for bacon, visit http://www.farmlandbaconclub.com/forget-milk-cookies-santa-wants-bacon.php