FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 25th, 2026 

Editors Note: Photo(s) Attached Suggested Caption: Caleb Bacon during filming.  

PA Pork partners with Penn State Football Player Caleb Bacon 

A familiar face to pork is back but this time in Happy Valley. 

Penn State Football takes the field this September 5^th for their highly anticipated season opener, and linebacker Caleb Bacon is giving fans an inside look at exactly what it takes to get there. The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council has teamed up with Bacon in a new video that shows pork isn’t just a dinner staple; it’s a versatile protein, fueling one of Penn State’s own as he prepares for kickoff. 

In the video, Bacon takes viewers behind the scenes of his training, from long practices and strength workouts to preparing a pork-based meal. The content demonstrates how pork can be incorporated into an athlete’s diet while showcasing its versatility in the kitchen. 

“Consumers want to see how food fits into real life, and athletes provide a powerful opportunity to tell that story,” said Courtney Gray, Executive Director of PA Pork. “With the season opener just days away, there’s no better time to show how pork supports performance, preparation and recovery. Bacon’s passion for football and his training diet makes him a natural partner to help us showcase pork’s versatility.” 

The collaboration is part of PA Pork’s ongoing consumer marketing efforts to introduce pork to new audiences through relatable voices and experiences. The video will be featured on Penn State Athletics, Caleb Bacon, and PA Pork’s social media channels.  

To learn more about the PA Pork Producers Council visit www.whypapork.com or follow along on social media @whypapork.  

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The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council (PPPC) administers the Pork Checkoff on behalf of the state’s nearly 3,000 pig farmers. PPPC acts as a steward for Pork Checkoff funds at the state level and is charged with executing specific programs in the areas of promotion, research and education. No funds may be used for lobbying or to influence government policy. Checkoff-funded promotions are designed to increase domestic pork sales through consumer, retail and food service outreach. Additionally, Checkoff-funded research is administered in all areas of pork production, processing and human nutrition to develop a higher quality, more profitable and innovative product in the competitive meat protein market. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 5, 2026 

Editors Note: Photo(s) Attached Suggested Caption: Alyssa Chritz, Penn State Sports Nutrition Fellow 

PSU Nutrition Fellowship 

The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council is excited to welcome Alyssa Chritz as the inaugural Penn State Sports Nutrition Fellow, a unique partnership between PA Pork and Penn State Athletics designed to advance sports nutrition education while highlighting pork as a high-quality source of protein for student-athletes. 

The fellowship offers a hands-on opportunity for an emerging nutrition professional to gain experience working alongside Penn State Sports Nutrition while collaborating with PA Pork on consumer outreach, recipe development, and nutrition education across the Commonwealth. 

Chritz joins the program with an impressive background in both sports nutrition and athletics. She recently completed a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition at the University of Michigan, where she served as a Performance Nutrition Intern with Michigan Athletics. In that role, she supported fueling strategies for the men’s and women’s basketball programs, assisted with body composition and hydration testing, developed evidence-based nutrition education materials, and traveled with the men’s basketball team during its 2026 NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. 

A former student-athlete at The College of Wooster, Chritz earned her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology while competing on the women’s basketball team. Her experience as both an athlete and a nutrition professional gives her a valuable perspective on helping athletes optimize performance through sound nutrition practices. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa as the first Nutrition Fellow,” said Courtney Gray, Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council. “Her experience in collegiate sports nutrition, combined with her passion for athlete performance and nutrition education, makes her an outstanding fit for this fellowship. We’re excited to work alongside Alyssa to educate athletes, registered dietitians, and consumers about the important role high-quality proteins, like pork, play in a balanced diet.” 

Throughout the fellowship, Chritz will work closely with Penn State Sports Nutrition while serving as a nutrition ambassador for PA Pork. Her responsibilities will include developing athlete-focused recipes and nutrition resources, creating monthly social media content, participating in cooking demonstrations, and representing Pennsylvania pork at registered dietitian conferences, educational events, and community programs. 

To learn more about the PA Pork Producers Council visit www.whypapork.com or follow along on social media @whypapork.  

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The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council (PPPC) administers the Pork Checkoff on behalf of the state’s nearly 3,000 pig farmers. PPPC acts as a steward for Pork Checkoff funds at the state level and is charged with executing specific programs in the areas of promotion, research and education. No funds may be used for lobbying or to influence government policy. Checkoff-funded promotions are designed to increase domestic pork sales through consumer, retail and food service outreach. Additionally, Checkoff-funded research is administered in all areas of pork production, processing and human nutrition to develop a higher quality, more profitable and innovative product in the competitive meat protein market.