Demystifying Who Makes Yoder’s Famous Canned Bacon

As a bacon lover, I was intrigued when I first heard about canned bacon. No messy cooking or greasy pans? Sign me up! Of the few brands offering this convenient bacon option, Yoder’s is one of the most well-known But who makes this canned meat magic? Let’s slice into the history and production behind Yoder’s popular canned bacon

Yoder’s – A Family Meat Tradition

Yoder’s Canned Meats is a family-owned company based in Sugarcreek, Ohio. They’ve been producing quality canned meats since 1944 The company was founded by Dan Yoder and is now run by the third and fourth generations of the Yoder family.

In addition to canned bacon, Yoder’s makes canned ham, chicken, roast beef, corned beef hash, sausage patties and more They pride themselves on using fresh, never frozen meats in their canned products

All production and canning takes place at their 60,000 square foot plant in Sugarcreek. This allows the Yoder family to closely oversee quality from start to finish.

Why Canned Bacon?

Canned bacon first became popular as a high-protein, long-shelf life food for soldiers, explorers and survivalists. Yoder’s produces their canned bacon with the same goal – making bacon portable and practical without refrigeration.

The 9oz cans contain 2.75-3.25 pounds of raw bacon that is pre-cooked before canning. The cooking process removes around half the fat. Canned bacon is ready to enjoy straight from the can, providing crisp, meaty bacon flavor whenever you need it.

The Canning Process

To lock in flavor and freshness, Yoder’s developed a specialized process for canned meats. Here are the main steps:

• Fresh pork bellies are brought into the plant and cured with salts and sugars. This develops the signature bacon flavor and pink color.

• The cured meat is slowly smoked over a hickory fire to enhance smoky notes.

• Slices are trimmed to the perfect shape and size. Broken slices get used for smaller pieces.

• Bacon is arranged in rolls, wrapped in wax paper then cooked in large ovens to perfection.

• After cooking, the bacon rolls are quickly chilled before canning.

• Cans are filled with the cooked bacon rolls and sealed airtight.

• Finally, the cans are sterilized under high heat for shelf stability.

This careful process means Yoder’s canned bacon is shelf-stable for up to 10 years while retaining quality bacon texture and taste.

Canned Bacon Nutrition

Since canned bacon is pre-cooked, the fat content is lower compared to raw bacon. A 1 oz serving of Yoder’s canned bacon contains:

• 45 calories
• 3.5g fat (1.25g saturated)
• 360mg sodium
• 5g protein

So while not the leanest meat option, canned bacon provides a good protein punch along with the satisfying flavor people crave. It fits well into a balanced diet in moderation.

Traditional Family Company

Yoder’s may produce canned bacon using modern equipment, but traditional values remain strong. The Yoder family practices conservative Mennonite customs. The women wear head coverings and modest dresses. Mustaches and beards are common among the men.

This shows in their commitment to quality, community and environmental values. The canned meats contain no artificial ingredients. Solar panels help power operations and minimal packaging reduces waste. The family actively supports local charities too.

Why Choose Yoder’s?

Among the few canned bacon options out there, Yoder’s stands out for several key reasons:

• Family-owned – You’re supporting a hard-working family business, not a giant corporation.

• Quality – Their canned meats are tasty with an artisanal feel. Real smokehouse flavor comes through.

• Heritage – Almost 80 years of perfecting canned meat production. It’s their specialty.

• Convenience – Canned bacon needs no refrigeration and is always ready to enjoy.

For delicious canned bacon with rich history behind it, Yoder’s is a top choice. The family puts care into every step of their time-honored process, from meat selection through canning. Their quality shines through in each smokey, salty bite.

So next time you’re stocking up on canned goods, toss in some Yoder’s canned bacon too. You’ll have easy access to bacon goodness wherever life takes you.