CONTENTS 26 Bill-E Stitt backs up his bacon brand with his name and traditionrich techniques. Cover: Bill-E's Small Batch Bacon specializes in the production of center-ofthe plate caliber products for customers seeking a premium eating experience. 08 COMMENTARY 88 R&D 10 BUSINESS NOTES 14 WASHINGTON 94 FROM THE CORRAL What's in a name change Cell culture talks 16 FARM TO FORK Transparency license 60 SMALL BUSINESS Customer loyalty 65 FOOD SAFETY Buggin' out 70 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK Bright future Tubular functionality 82 EDUCATION Mastering meat 4 MEAT+ POULTRY | 10.18 | www.meatpoultry.com Forward thinking 96 NAMES IN THE NEWS 98 SHOWCASE 100 CLASSIFIEDS 104 ADVERTISERS 105 INDUS T RY C A L ENDA R 106 THE INSIDER BACON REPORT 22 BY THE NUMBERS Sizzling bacon growth continues 26 COVER STORY Small-batch success 36 SEGMENT PROFILE Bacon specialization 42 NEW PRODUCTS Better with bacon 46 PROCESSOR PERSPECTIVE Rooted in bacon tradition 54 INGREDIENT ISSUES Beyond breakfast Bill-E's Small Batch Bacon , ©Moving Moment - stock.adobe.com 74 PACKAGING SOLUTIONS Scientific discoveryhttp://www.meatpoultry.com