Egg and I Pork, LLC is a wholesale pork business based in Chimacum, WA that specializes in bringing locally fed and humanely raised hazelnut-finished Tamworth pork to local area restaurants and specialty retail markets. Owned by farmers Philip Vogelzang and Doyle Yancey, the pigs are raised on their 25 acre cooperative farm in fertile farm country o Egg and I Road on the Olympic Peninsula, 17 mile
s south of Port Townsend, WA. Because these pigs root around on the same hallowed dirt where Betty MacDonald tried her hand at chicken farming during prohibition, which she immortalized in her best-selling comic memoir “The Egg and I”, also made into a Hollywood movie. Fame aside, we believe this pork to be among the best grown in Washington! Just what makes this red succulent sweet nutty pork so unbelievably scrumptious??? The Heritage Breed: Tamworths are an old heritage breed hog descended from “Irish Grazers”, an ancient European pig domesticated from wild boars that retained their strong porky flavor. Known for their long legs, long snout, and extra long torso (don’t forget torso = bacon), they are healthy, friendly, and more self-sucient than other pigs with abilities to graze on grass, “open gestate” and nurture their offspring. They are especially well adapted to our northern marine climate. The Milk: Many higher end pigs are fed whey, the protein-rich watery liquid left over after milk has been curdled and strained to make cheese. Our pigs are no exception and enjoy whey from Mt Townsend Creamery in Port Townsend. We take it one step further however, adding WHOLE RAW MILK to their diet which we get from 2 Chimacum cow and goat dairies, Bishop Organic Dairy and Harmony’s Way Farm. Now we’re talking flavor! The Nuts: We don’t need to remind you that throughout history the most valued pork has come from pigs fed nuts. Think Jamón Ibérico, Prosciutto di Parma, and the original Virginia Hams. Following this nutty tradition and this being Washington, our pigs are finished on shelled whole hazelnuts the last 2 months, which gives the meat its well marbled texture, deep red color, and overall wonderful taste. The Care: Because our pigs are naturally healthy given their diet and environment, they are not treated with antibiotics or hormones. Being so even-keeled with great maternal skills, they are allowed to procreate, give birth, and nurse their piglets without intervention. When “market time” arrives, the pigs are butchered with respect and skill by a local family owned abattoir in a USDA inspected facility
Thanks for your interest and we look forward to sharing with you this marvelous pork!
