Happy Father's Day!

Food and community go hand in hand. Where there is good food, there will be a gathering. It might be a small family get together or it might be a neighborhood event with a crowd. Either way, put some burgers, steaks, ribs, chops, chicken or shrimp on the grill - or a brisket in the smoker - and you will have company. While it's nice to have intimate family dinners, it's also fun to occasionally gather with a multitude. Father's Day and Independence Day are two of the best summer holidays to do just that.

It's true that many men to this day still don't like to encourage all of the fuss around Father's Day. This was certainly the case in the early 1900's when early efforts to commemorate fathers was met with more irritation than enthusiasm. According to History.com, struggling retailers during the Great Depression redoubled their efforts to promote Father's Day as a "second Christmas" for men. "When World War II began, advertisers began to argue that celebrating Father’s Day was a way to honor American troops and support the war effort. By the end of the war, Father’s Day may not have been a federal holiday, but it was a national institution." Today the National Retail Federation estimates that $22.4 Billion will be spent on Father's Day gifts. Whether or not you approve of the commercialization of these holidays, it's hard to argue with the flavors Dad will conjure from his grill this summer.

We'll also soon be remembering the day that brought our nation together in support of freedom, individual liberty, and independence. Independence Day is another summer celebration that Americans look forward to and rightly so. Communities will gather together to watch fireworks displays, attend parades and baseball games, and devour copious amounts of delicious grilled foods. Make sure you have the freezer stocked with grass-fed meat this summer so Dad has plenty of opportunities to share his grilling efforts.

All the Best,  Team USWM