If bacon makes everything better, Winnipeg must be the best place on earth.

That’s because Canada’s bacon capital is celebrating Bacon Month in Manitoba, for the third year in a row, and Manitoba Pork is calling on bacon lovers to help celebrate by entering a contest to win bacon for a year.

There’s little doubt the provincial capital qualifies for the distinction.

The Maple Leaf Foods plant on Lagimodière Boulevard is the largest bacon-processing facility in Canada, producing more than 25 million kilograms of bacon each year. A recently announced investment in the facility by the federal and provincial governments means that bacon production at the plant will increase by eight million kilograms a year in the near future.

“Manitoba is proud to be the bacon capital of Canada and we’re inviting everyone to celebrate Bacon Month with us,” Manitoba Pork chair George Matheson said. “The Manitoba hog industry contributes over $1.7 billion annually to our economy and provides over 13,000 jobs.”

Manitoba Pork will be celebrating everyone’s favourite savoury meat at a variety of events, including at the Winnipeg Goldeyes game on August 17. Shaw Park will be sizzling with bacon promotions and bacon-themed edibles. The Goldeyes will be wearing special bacon jerseys and bacon-wear will be available for purchase.

Bacon Month continues at the Manitoba Pork tent at the Winnipeg BBQ & Blues Festival on August 19-20 at the Burton Cummings Theatre, and wraps up on August 31 with a Bacon Party at Pony Corral Pier 7, 1700 Pembina Highway.