Kestin's Corner - We're more than a brand, we're a family.

Kestin’s Corner

Hempler’s isn’t just a Brand, it’s a family…
    …and not just any family, it’s my family.

There are living, breathing people who interact daily to make the ham, bacon, and sausages that many have grown up with over the past nearly 80 years. Times have changed, it’s no longer my Grandfather, Father and me hand twisting the sausages- true! However my father and I are involved each and every day. And I am more passionate about our humble family (company) than perhaps ever before.

Food in general is a passion of mine. Combine food with family — or any person, for that matter — and I have all I need! I love to connect with people over food, reminisce about favorite memories with them (which, let’s face it, usually involve food), and dream about the future (again, food is always in there). C’mon, you have to admit you have already thought about a favorite meal you can’t wait to make or order sometime this week and have made plans with family or friends, right? That’s what I’m talking about! In this time, when a million different options are available to us for any one thing we could possibly need, don’t you go with the familiar option? The one you know and trust? I do!

That said, I’m so glad you’re here! Let’s connect! About food. About family. About life. I want to share with you what the Hempler family is all about. I want to share my story, my memories, and my hopes for the future with you. And I’d love to hear from you too!

Fun with the Fuzz

More than a 5k, it’s a mission to honor fallen officer and supporting their families.  100% of the proceeds from this race are donated directly to Behind the Badge Foundation. We are proud to sponsor and participate in this annual community event!

Colton’s Army Guild

On September 11th, 96 golfer’s teed off to crush cancer.  Colton and his foursome have been friends for a long time and decided to have matching outfits for the tournament.  Colton’s Army is all about HOPE and making the fight against cancer matter by giving back,...

Hempler’s – Make-A-Wish & Mariners Doubles

For several years we have donated $75 dollars to Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington for each double hit by the Seattle Mariners throughout the course of a season.  This year the final results are in and the Hempler’s Double’s campaign raised $21,150! We’re so...

Awesome Deals at QFC For Your Next Husky Tailgate

Check out these deals on Hempler's Products at QFC for your next Husky Tailgate! Since 1934, Hempler's has been committed to our family traditions of maintaining roots in communities, telling our stories, and producing time-honored family recipes that are crafted with...

Kicks 4 Kids

Kicks 4 Kids is a charitable program started by the one and only best mascot in the NFL, Blitz!  This year Blitz will rally his friends and family of 12s near and far to help reach his goal of donating 5,000 pairs of shoes.

Seahawk Training Camp

The Hempler Team got to hang with the best fans in the NFL at Seahawk Training Camp!  Eight fun filled days of camp handing out pepperoni sticks to all the excited fans!  

Folds of Honor

Empowering people from every walk of life through education and the opportunities it creates. Forty-five percent of Folds of Honor scholarships are awarded to minorities, making our recipient family as diverse as the country we call home.

Brigadoon Service Dogs

  We are proud to partner with Brigadoon service dogs each year.  They provide trained service dogs for veterans, children, and adults with physical, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities to promote a more independent and enriched life.  Thank you for all...

Ham Hotline: Answering all your Hempler’s Ham questions

Welcome to the Ham Hotline. You’re either thinking about it or you’ve got your hands on a Hempler’s Ham…. now what? Check out some of our most frequently asked questions & answers below.  1. How do I reheat my ham? Our premium hams are all fully cooked, so all you...

Christmas Sides to Serve with Your Hempler’s Ham

Hempler's offers a full line of hams for your holiday meal, but we also love starring in your side dishes. Here are five that are sure to impress! Bacon Stuffing: Everyone loves this savory and satisfying side. They'll love it even more with bacon! Roasted Brussels...

1 Holiday Hempler’s Ham, 3 Ways

The holidays are all about family, friends, celebrations and of course, great food.  Ham has always been a traditional part of holiday meals for families. If you are making ham for the first time this holiday season, or carrying on a family-long tradition, we have...

Pumpkin + Bacon Recipe Round-Up

Pumpkin pie is cool and all but how about these pumpkins & bacon recipes for the whole family? So how do we elevate everyone's favorite seasonal flavor? With bacon, of course! Here are some recipes to try this fall: Bacon Tart with Pumpkin and Maple: This sounds...

Recipes for the In-Between Season

Pumpkin Spice season has been in full swing for a month and a half now, but technically fall has only just begun. Still, we all know that the weather doesn’t care about the calendar or your favorite seasonal flavor combo. This time of year the temperature swings...

Introducing Hempler’s Seahawks Dogs in the Safeway Deli!

It's a new season for the Seattle Seahawks, and the deli departments at Safeway and Albertsons are ready with some brand-new offerings featuring some of Hempler's most flavorful sausages. First up is the Seahawk Dog made with Hempler's Andouille Jalapeno & Cheddar...

International Bacon Day is September 3rd. Here’s How to Celebrate!

It's not Christmas, but it feels like it to us here at Hempler's. International Bacon Day is just around the corner on September 3rd, and we've rounded up some fun ways to celebrate the day. Because what's life if you're not having a little bit of fun? Incorporate...

Hempler’s Supports Senior Day in the Park

After two years the Whatcom Council on Aging and programs, Meals on Wheels & More and the Bellingham Senior Activity Center are excited to announce the return of the Annual Whatcom Senior Day in the Park, a picnic with a purpose. This event is dedicated to...

Make Your Summer Barbecue Memorable with Hempler’s!

Sun's out, school's out, and the calendar has finally turned to July. And you know what that means - it's GRILLING SEASON! Hempler's wants to be there for allllllllllll your summer cookouts with our delicious selection of franks, smoked sausages, and chicken skewers....

Protein-Packed Snacks to Fuel Your Summer Adventures

Summer is a time for adventure. Hiking. Camping. Boating. Picnics. Beach days. No matter what your adventure is, you need to stay fueled up - and Hempler's got the perfect protein options. Our pepperoni sticks, landjaeger, and beef jerky are shelf-stable so they're...

Get Ready for Grilling Season with Hempler’s Chicken Breast Skewers

Whether you're a year-round outdoor chef or a fair-weather griller, the official "grilling season" is just around the corner - and Hempler's is ready to make it great! Delicious barbecues have NEVER been easier than with our perfectly seasoned chicken breast skewers....

Purchase a Miracle Tags are Up!

Volunteers have been busy putting tags on participating "Purchase a Miracle" items across the region. By simply purchasing items with tags between May 1 - June 15, you're supporting cancer research through Seattle Children's Hospital. Volunteers participate in hanging...

Put on Your Poker Face! Charity Poker Tournament Benefitting Skookum Kids is May 13th.

Want to have some fun, compete for prizes, and help out a local organization? Then sign up for the Charity Poker Tournament held on May 13th at the Bellingham Yacht Club! No poker skills? No problem! They've even got beginner-level tickets to let you be part of the...

Purchase A Miracle May 1 – June 15

From May 1 - June 15 you can "purchase a miracle" simply by buying some of Hempler's most popular products. During that period you'll see special hanging tags (pictured above) at grocers throughout the region; when you choose products with the "Purchase a Miracle"...

Don’t Forget Your Hempler’s Ham for Easter!

Getting ready for Easter? The ham is the star of the show, and Hempler's has options for every gathering. From whole hams to half hams, boneless to bone-in, honey-cured to uncured, spiral-sliced to unsliced, and even chicken roasts as an alternative to the traditional...

Helping Veterans Through the Bellingham Opportunity Council

In our ongoing efforts to invest in our community and be good neighbors to those in need, we've partnered with the Bellingham Opportunity Council to support low-income veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness....
A Little Bit of Hempler’s History

A Little Bit of Hempler’s History

Hempler's has grown over the years, but when we look back at our roots, not much has changed. We're still the same small-town relationship-focused company we've always been. Because relationships are how Hempler's started, grew, and continues to flourish. Here's a...

Winning Pizza Combinations

Winning Pizza Combinations

Pizza has a reputation for being simple fare, but the right topping combinations can elevate this rustic dish to new heights. Here are some winning combinations to try on your next pizza night. Caramelized onions, bacon, and figs: The saltiness of the bacon pairs well...

WCEL Fundraising Gala

WCEL Fundraising Gala

Whatcom Center for Early Learning (WCEL) is a local nonprofit partnering with families to provide comprehensive therapy and support services to children experiencing developmental delays and disabilities. Serving over 200 children and families per month in their Early...

Hearts for Housing Virtual Auction on March 25, 2022

Hearts for Housing Virtual Auction on March 25, 2022

Here's a startling statistic: The rate of family homelessness has doubled since March 2020. The lack of affordable housing options, childcare, and mental health support in our community adversely impacts our most vulnerable neighbors, including children. To make...

Kindness Unites Us

Kindness Unites Us

At Hempler's, we do more than make great food products. We are also dedicated to giving back and making a difference by providing our neighbors access and opportunities to build healthy futures for themselves and their communities. We believe our communities thrive...

2021 Hempler’s Doubles – Final Total!

2021 Hempler’s Doubles – Final Total!

For several years we've donated $50 to Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington for each double hit by the Seattle Mariners throughout the course of a season. This year the final results are in - and the "Hempler's Double's" campaign raised $9,000! We're so thankful for...

Hempler’s Feeds Fans at the 2021 Seahawks Home Opener

Hempler’s Feeds Fans at the 2021 Seahawks Home Opener

We got to hang with the best fans in the NFL along with our PNW cousin Bavarian Meats at the 2021 Seahawks home opener. We cooked up Hempler's Double Smoked Sausage and the brand-new Bavarian Meats Seattle Dog and fed 4000 hungry Seahawks fans. Both are available...

Hempler’s Sausages and Hot Dogs Available at Lumen Field

Hempler’s Sausages and Hot Dogs Available at Lumen Field

Are you heading to Lumen Field this season to catch a Seahawks game? We're proud supporters of our local team and Hempler's products are even available at the stadium! We have branded kiosks where you can grab our Double Smoked Sausage or Beef Franks. And if you can't...

Seven Next-Level Sandwiches

Seven Next-Level Sandwiches

Sandwiches have gotten a bad reputation as a boring, sub-par, and low-effort meal option. And, sure, you can throw a piece of lunchmeat between two slices of bread and call it a sandwich. But here at Hempler's, we don't do anything half-heartedly. When we talk about...

Your Holiday Ham Options From Hempler’s

Your Holiday Ham Options From Hempler’s

Are you planning your Christmas dinner menu? Don't forget the ham! Hempler's offers some of the highest-quality options around and there's something for everyone. Here's your complete list of ham options from Hempler's. Boneless Whole Hams Old Fashioned Whole Ham...

Make Your Thanksgiving Stuffing with Hempler’s Chorizo

Make Your Thanksgiving Stuffing with Hempler’s Chorizo

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and it seems there are two distinct approaches to this food-centric holiday: 1) Those who hold staunchly to their family's traditional recipes 2) Those who view it as an opportunity to try fun or fancy new dishes As food lovers to the...

Ten Pumpkin-Inspired Recipes for Fall

Ten Pumpkin-Inspired Recipes for Fall

Fall has arrived, and if you’re like us, you’re craving all the seasonal comfort foods. One of the biggest players this season is pumpkin, so today we’ve rounded up ten of the most decadent fall foods we could find featuring the seasonal star combined with our...

TRY THIS: Homemade Spaetzle!

TRY THIS: Homemade Spaetzle!

Our story began in the 1800’s in the Hempler’s family sausage kitchen in Borken, Germany. Though things have changed over the years, we still find a great deal of identity in our European roots. It shows in our family’s holiday traditions, dishes at our potluck...

Why Small Batch Matters

Why Small Batch Matters

You may have noticed a little emblem on several of our products. It reads “small batch crafted meats” and declares our commitment to the time-honored family recipes we are proud to share with the world. But what does that really mean, and why does it matter? Here’s...

Cranberry + Bacon = Christmas Eats

Cranberry + Bacon = Christmas Eats

There are so many flavorful combos to enjoy this holiday season but nothing says “Christmas” quite like cranberries. We thought we’d round up some creative ways to serve this seasonal staple with everyone’s favorite food - bacon! Sourdough Baked Brie with Cranberries...

Which Method Is Best? The Ultimate Bacon-Cooking Experiment

Which Method Is Best? The Ultimate Bacon-Cooking Experiment

Everyone has their secret for cooking the “perfect” bacon, and here at Hempler’s we’ve got our favorite methods, too. But we were curious how the results of various cooking methods compared side-by-side. So that’s what we did! Read on for the details of this fun (and...

Pumpkin Spice Glazed Bacon Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Glazed Bacon Recipe

‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice, and here at Hempler’s we got curious...what would happen if we let bacon in on this trend?  Now for all the nay-sayers, let us be clear. Pumpkin Spice bacon does not taste like pumpkin. It’s glazed with brown sugar and the earthy...

What is Landjaeger?

What is Landjaeger?

We make a variety of protein snacks, and our Landjaeger seems to always get lumped in with our pepperoni. Between the similar packaging and its ability to keep without refrigeration, many people tend to assume they’re one and the same. However, Landjaeger is its own...

15 Glaze Ideas for Your Holiday Ham

15 Glaze Ideas for Your Holiday Ham

We love the savory goodness of delicious ham, but a glaze can take it to the next level. Whether sweet, spicy, or tangy, a glaze adds an extra layer of flavor that perfectly complements the rich, salty ham. So if you’re looking for classic flavors or something with a...

Introducing Hempler’s Beef Jerky

Introducing Hempler’s Beef Jerky

Yes, you read that right. We’ve launched a brand-new line of beef jerky that we know you’re going to LOVE. With three varieties available packed with flavor and loaded with protein, we’ve got the perfect solution for your mid-afternoon snack attack. Love a bit of...