Bacon lovers rejoice! It’s International Bacon Day today (5 September), and local lovers of pork can rest assured they’ll be celebrating with some of the best quality bacon going around. The ACT is being heralded as the bacon capital of Australia, home to the best bacon in the country.

Due to COVID-19, Australian Pork Limited (APL) weren’t able to hold their usual PorkMark Bacon Awards this year, with the winners typically announced on International Bacon Day. What they were able to do, though, was go back through previous years’ honours lists to discover the ACT had more national winners than any other jurisdiction in the competition’s 10-year history.

Previous winners of the awards include Griffith Butchery, Meatways of Kambah, Elite Meats of Kippax, and Pialligo Estate Smokehouse.

Southlands Quality Meats in Mawson took out the award for the country’s best short cut bacon last year, and owner Alan Matthews says what sets his bacon apart is “top secret”.

“But what I can say is that a huge part of our success lies in beginning with quality, local pork,” he says.

The awards are run as part of a larger campaign from APL to raise awareness of the fact the majority of bacon sold in Australia is made using imported pork.

“To make sure you’re supporting our Aussie farmers, look for a country of origin bar chart that is almost full. This can be found on packs or in the deli next to the Green and Gold Kangaroo,” says APL CEO Margo Andrae.

“Share the joy and join the global celebration by enjoying Aussie bacon on Saturday – your farmers and your tastebuds will thank you!”

Why not celebrate International Bacon Day this weekend with a recipe or two? Check out our archive of recipes here, or try your hand at these bacon and maple blueberry pancakes for breakfast, this bacon and potato toastie for lunch, or a sweet potato carbonara for dinner.