Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association facts for kids
The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association is a group of companies that make pork pies in the Melton Mowbray area of England, United Kingdom. This association started in 1998. Its main goal was to help protect the special Melton Mowbray pork pie recipe. They wanted to make sure that only pies made in a certain way and place could use the famous name.
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Protecting the Melton Mowbray Pie Name
What is Protected Geographical Indication?
In 1999, the association, which had seven local pie makers, asked the EU for a special label. This label is called Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). It's like a special badge that tells you a food product comes from a specific place. This helps make sure the food is made in a traditional way. For Melton Mowbray pork pies, it meant only pies from a certain area could use the name.
The Challenge from Northern Foods
A large food company called Northern Foods tried to stop this from happening. They also made pork pies and used the "Melton Mowbray" name on their products. Northern Foods felt it was unfair. They said that the association's biggest member, Samworth Brothers, made pies in Leicester. They also claimed the special area was drawn to include Samworth's factory. Northern Foods even took the case to the European Court of Justice. However, they later dropped their appeal. The High Court also rejected Northern Foods' challenge.
PGI Status Granted
The special PGI label was finally approved on 4 April 2008. The rules for using the Melton Mowbray name officially started in July 2009.
Now, the name Melton Mowbray can only be used for certain pork pies. These pies must be made with fresh, uncured pork. They are cooked without special metal rings called "supporting hoops." They must also be made within a specific area around Melton Mowbray. This area is quite large, about 1,800 square miles (4,700 square kilometres). It includes towns like Grantham, Northampton, Nottingham, and Stamford.
What Goes Into a Melton Mowbray Pie?
The rules also say what ingredients can be used. Pies must have at least 30% fresh pork. Other ingredients include shortening (usually lard), pork gelatine or stock, wheat flour, water, salt, and spices (mostly pepper). Artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives are not allowed.
Before the PGI rules began, another company called Pork Farms (which had taken over Northern Foods' pie business) made a change. They announced that their Bowyers factory in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, would close. This meant about 400 jobs were lost. The production of their Melton Mowbray branded pies moved to Nottingham. Nottingham is inside the new area where Melton Mowbray pies can be made under the PGI rules.
Members of the Association
The members of the association believe it helps protect smaller pie makers. It ensures that their traditional way of making pies is recognized.
Current members of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association include:
- Mrs King's Pork Pies of Cotgrave
- F Bailey & Son of Upper Broughton
- Dickinson & Morris of Melton Mowbray
- Brocklebys of Melton Mowbray
- Mark Patrick Butchers of Birstall
- Walker & Son of Beaumont Leys
- Leesons Butchers of Oakham
- Nelsons Family Butchers of Stamford, Lincolnshire
- Dunkleys of Wellingborough
- Hartland Pies of Cotgrave
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