Sam Suchoff opened The Pig restaurant in 2010 with the plan to make whole hog BBQ from local pasture-raised pigs. He started off purchasing two or three hogs per week from the NC Natural Hog Growers Association. He then realized there was a market for charcuterie that could help him utilize other parts of the hog so he could increase his purchases from the farmers. Soon his line expanded from whole hog BBQ to “hog dogs,” Carolina bacon, bologna, cured sausages, and more.
In 2013 Sam started selling hog dogs and Carolina bacon to Weaver Street Market, and the following year he began packaging and selling us retail pork cuts. Additionally, Sam started sending hams to the Johnston County Ham Company for curing into fancy ham under the brand Lady Edison. Making new products and finding new markets has allowed Sam to expand his hog purchases to 20 or more per week, making a huge impact for the farmers of the Hog Growers Association.
During our staff’s pork training (right), Sam talked to staff about the various cuts needed to sell a whole hog. Below, watch as Sam describes the Lady Edison brand of country hams and travels to visit the farmers who raise the hogs he buys.
Lady Edison Pork from Jason Arthurs on Vimeo.