East of England reveals favourite way to eat their pies

FOLLOWING a 6% increase in pork pie sales during the UK’s lockdown period, a survey has revealed that the East of England’s favourite accompaniments to the British classic snack are pickles (Branston pickle, chutney and pickled onions) – with a combined total of 45.5% of those who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side.

Pork Farms commissioned the online YouGov survey, which reached more than 2,000 members of the public, to discover how the nation likes to eat their pork pie.

While the overwhelming majority of people surveyed, who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side, said they preferred to eat theirs with pickles, the region is the most likely to opt for a Ploughman’s lunch (10%) and least likely to choose hot sides (mushy peas, baked beans, chips and gravy) with 4% of the vote.

Mike Holton, brand manager at Pork Farms said: “There’s no doubt that pork pies are classic British fridge-staples, with over half of UK shoppers having purchased at least one of the lunchbox, picnic and buffet staples within the last year. We’ve also seen these figures grow by an additional 6% within the last 12 weeks, so it is interesting to see the vast differences in people preferences dependent on their age, demographic and location.

Results showed that nationwide, 18-24-year-olds, who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side, are most likely to eat theirs with a hot side (31%) – in comparison to 5% of baby boomers (people ages 55+). Overwhelmingly, the survey also found that our older generations, who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side, were more likely to eat theirs with pickles – 38% of 45-54-year olds prefer pickles in comparison to just 13% of 18-24-year olds.*

The survey also found stark differences in the way that pork pies are consumed within our nations, in Wales 24% of those who eat pork pies prefer theirs with pickles and 40% of people, who eat pork pies and prefer at least one side, in Scotland eat theirs with condiments, specifically brown sauce 17%.

Mike added: “Pork Farms is a brand with a really strong British heritage, after being established within the Midlands in 1931, the business has grown from a small local bakery to having our pies featured on family dinner tables, nationwide. It is fantastic to see pork pies so widely enjoyed, almost 90 years on from when we first started baking them.”

Now distributing over 40 million pork pies, the iconic British brand has just undergone a refresh, which will see new branding focused on the company’s heritage and 100% British pork, rolled out across its website, social media and marketing materials. As well all its popular and well-loved products receiving newly designed packaging.

For more information about Pork Farms visit their website here.