KINSTON (MAY 5, 2025) — The NC Pork Council and Smithfield Foods teamed up with the
BBQ Fest on the Neuse on Saturday, May 3 to set a Guinness World Record for the most
pulled pork barbecue sandwiches sold in eight hours.
Festival organizers sold a total of 4,775 barbecue sandwiches — setting a Guinness World
Record and carving Kinston’s place in barbecue history. And these weren’t just any
barbecue sandwiches — they were pulled pork sandwiches featuring award-winning pork,
slow-cooked by the best pitmasters in the state.
“When it comes to barbecue, North Carolina has a proud tradition of leadership. Setting a
World Record for the most barbecue sandwiches ever sold is one more way we are
proving that North Carolina is the Barbecue Capital of the World,” said Roy Lee Lindsey,
CEO of the North Carolina Pork Council.
The BBQ Fest on the Neuse hosted the state’s largest whole hog cookoff — featuring
nearly 100 teams — as part of the festival. Pork from the competition was chopped and
sold at the BBQ Chop Tent on Heritage Street across from the Farmers Market. All
proceeds from the sales were donated to local community organizations including the
Lenoir County 4-H and Youth Development Programs, the Ronald McDonald House, the
Lenoir County Master Gardeners and Children’s Garden, Downtown Kinston Revitalization,
CSS Neuse Museum, Community Council for the Arts, SmartArt Kinston, and Mary’s
Kitchen, among others.
“We have forever etched Kinston’s place in barbecue history,” said Tammy Kelly, a BBQ
Fest on the Neuse board member. “We are so grateful for the community’s support and
thankful that we were able to raise more than $140,000 for local non-profits in our
community.”
The NC Pork Council sponsors the annual NC Whole Hog Barbecue Series, featuring
dozens of competitions across the state throughout the year. The winner of the BBQ Fest
on the Neuse — insert name and town — qualified for the state championship, which will
be held in Raleigh on May 17-18 in conjunction with the Got to Be NC Festival.
“Smithfield was proud to be part of this record-breaking event to support local nonprofits
in North Carolina,” said Kraig Westerbeek, president of hog production for Smithfield
Foods. “Our 10,000 North Carolina team members salute the people of Kinston for
earning their place in the record books while supporting these vital community
organizations.”
About the North Carolina Pork Council
As the voice of North Carolina’s pork industry, the NC Pork Council advocates for family
farmers and industry partners dedicated to producing high-quality pork in a safe,
sustainable, and responsible way. North Carolina’s pork industry is a national leader —
ranking third in production — and contributes more than $10 billion to the state’s
economy each year. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, the NC
Pork Council promotes responsible farming practices and supports the continued success
of the industry. www.ncpork.org.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods (Nasdaq: SFD) is an American food company with a leading position in
packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong
relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality
protein around the world.
