RALEIGH - North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue has declared October as "Pork Month" in the Tar Heel state.  The state's pork producers are using this opportunity to showcase the healthy and safe pork products they provide as well as the industry's economic impact.

But North Carolina's pork producers are also shining the spot light on a special cause that shares October with them as a commemorative month: Breast Cancer Awareness.

During the N.C. State Fair, at its aptly colored pink and white tented "Pork Chop Shop," the North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC) will be collecting donations for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer FundŽ.  An on-field presentation of the proceeds collected at the Pork Chop Shop will be made during the NC State homecoming football game on November 7.

"Pork Month is a time for us to promote our pork products, but also a month that celebrates the hard work and dedication of pork producers who take pride in producing safe, wholesome pork," said Deborah Johnson, chief executive officer of the NC Pork Council.  "Pork Month and the State Fair provide us a unique opportunity for us to reach out in support of other causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month."

Each year, the NCPC runs a full-service restaurant called the Pork Chop Shop at the N.C. State Fair. Staffed by pork producers and others directly involved in the pork industry, the Pork Chop Shop provides delicious, wholesome and affordable meals for fair goers and gives producers an opportunity to promote and serve the pork they so proudly produce.

This year, in addition to great pork, the Pork Chop Shop will be selling pink ribbons for $1 and all proceeds will go to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer FundŽ.  NCPC will be matching all donations received at the Pork Chop Shop up to $2,500.
 
To provide further support for breast cancer awareness and education, the NCPC will be hosting an online auction on their website (www.ncpork.org) and those proceeds will also go to the Kay Yow Fund. Auction items will include:

The proclamation recognizes that North Carolina's pork industry contributes more than $9 billion to the state's economy, more than 46,000 full-time jobs, and ranks second nationally among all states in pork production.

Additional Information:
 
The Pork Chop Shop at the N.C. State Fair
North Carolina Pork Council's Pork Chop Shop will be open at the N.C. State Fair from Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 25.
 
In addition to serving Eastern NC-style barbecue and pork tenderloin sandwiches and plates, the Pork Chop Shop will be accepting donations for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer FundŽ.
 
The Pork Chop Shop is located between Gates 1 and 2 in a pink and white-striped tent.
 
The Kay Yow Fund
The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer FundŽ is a 501 c(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.
 
The term Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer FundŽ and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer FundŽ logo are trademarks of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Foundation, Inc.

The CDC's main Web site is www.cdc.gov. In addition, the agency has added www.flu.gov .