CONTENTS 24 Rob Sonderman's Federalist Pig is putting barbecue on diners' ballots in the nation's capital. Cover: Richard Fergola has embraced barbecue since entering his first competition in 2012. Cover photo: Anthony Fergola 08 COMMENTARY Global reunion 10 BUSINESS NOTES 14 WASHINGTON Inviting input 42 EXECUTIVE SERIES Bryan Humphreys: All-around authority 48 INGREDIENT ISSUES Adding a layer of appeal 52 POULTRY PROCESSING Staying a cut above 58 PACKAGING SOLUTIONS Skin packaging in the game 64 FOOD SAFETY Unlocking E. coli 70 SMALL BUSINESS A complete feat 76 AAMP PREVIEW Gearing up for Iowa 78 FROM THE CORRAL Leading the way 80 GIVING BACK 82 INDUS TRY C AL ENDAR 84 NAMES IN THE NEWS 86 SHOWCASE 87 CLASSIFIEDS 89 ADVERTISERS 90 THE INSIDER BBQ REPORT 16 INTRODUCTION From the grill to infinity? 18 COVER STORY Championing barbecue 24 FOODSERVICE Barbecue on the ballot 28 MEAT PERSPECTIVES Good news from the grill 34 ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS Plant-based pitmasters 38 TOOLS OF THE TRADE Getting smoked 16 4 MEAT+POULTRY | 06.22 | www.meatpoultry.com The Federalist Pig, Joel Crews/Sosland Publishing Companyhttp://www.meatpoultry.com