Our family expands our partnership with Heritage Foods USA to create a distinct line of Cured Products made from Berkshire Pork from Heritage Foods USA. The new distinct line includes Pancetta (cured pork bellies) and Guanciale (cured pork jowels).

As big supporters of the Slow Food Movement and in light of our shared vision, values and family focus, we are pleased to expand our offerings from the fine products of Heritage Foods. Dozens of pigs are currently raised on family farms across the country. The demand has far exceeded the supply and the trend continues - to produce pigs in large farms, in large quantities with mixed breeds.

We have supported these small farms but continue to find it very difficult to locate pigs that are large enough, and of a single breed. Of course, we want just the right fat content to properly dry cure them. In this business, fat is our friend. The size of the local pigs available here on the West Coast, weighing around 200 pounds each, (which do enable us to make a good salami!), does not support the traditions of Europe regarding size and fat to lean ratio. Nor does this small size support the artisan tradition of family style production when it comes to Muscle Meat production - items like Guanciale, Coppa, Culatello, Lomo and Pancetta.

Our Culatello has been offered over a year using Heritage Family products. In addition, Pancetta and Guanciale are now made available by Salumi from Berkshire Pure Breeds - the Pig with six white spots, located on at least one hoof, the nose and tail. Only these qualify as pure breeds. These Pigs do indeed have a darker, more heavily marbled fat, juicier and richer tasting than most pork. They especially fit the bill regarding our dry curing processes and the resulting texture, flavor and consistency.

The products come from a network of Certified Humane Farmers led by Mark and Rita Newman of Myrtle, Missouri. They coordinate the breeding and delivery schedules of some 100 Pigs per week. The butchering is accomplished by Paradise Locker Meats, a family owned USDA-certified arbitoir located in Trimble, Missouri. Mario, Teresa and their sons Louis and Nick Fantasma uphold the beautiful art of butchering.

These Family Farms, the Processors and the unbending support of Heritage Foods fits our Salumi family philosophy to a tee. We love and fully support the traditions involved and are happy to carry these distinct products forward.

Culatello and the Salumi Heritage Pancetta and Guanciale are distinctive - tender and generous in size. These products increase our offering for discerning chefs and delis and will be designated under HF products on our website. We will also continue to offer Guanciale and Pancetta made from pork sourced from Northwest Farms.

Shortly, when these products are ready for release, our website will be updated and they will be available primarily to our wholesale customers, but upon availability, may be available to the Home Consumer as well.

We thank you for your continued interest and support of us.

Best wishes,

Armandino Batali, and family Marilyn, Gina and Brian D'Amato