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!

USO Northwest Red, White & Blue Golf Classic

The USO Golf Tournament at Newcastle is the largest tournament in support of the military in the Pacific Northwest. All funds raised from this event go directly to supporting four onsite USO centers and three mobile units that provide essential services to our...

Hempler Foods Group – Dementia Support NW 

Recently, a fundraiser BBQ was held at Haggen Barkly, sponsored by Hempler, Haggen, and Dementia Support NW. All donations from this event were directed to support the programs and services offered by Dementia Support NW.

Ferndale First Responders ‘Night Shift’ Event.

The Ferndale First Responders ‘Night Shift’ Event was a gathering held at the Ferndale Police Department. During this event, we barbecued and served Hempler sausages along with a variety of sides to honor and show appreciation for the first responders working the...

Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington

We partnered with the Mariners again this year to donate  wishes to MAW kiddoes.  This year, for each Double Smoked sausage purchase at T-Mobil kiosks, we are donating a portion of the proceeds to MAW Alaska & Washington.

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...
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...

How to Carve a Ham – Boneless, Bone-in, and Spiral Sliced

How to Carve a Ham – Boneless, Bone-in, and Spiral Sliced

Hempler’s is proud to offer a full array of delicious hams for your holiday table - including Black Forest, Honey Cured, uncured, boneless, bone-in, spiral sliced, and the Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham. But you eat with your eyes first, so to make sure your...

Hempler’s Sources Ingredients from Local PNW Businesses

Hempler’s Sources Ingredients from Local PNW Businesses

Hempler’s has deep roots here in the Pacific Northwest, and we take a lot of pride in the quality of our products. Because of our commitment to only bring you the best, we’ve worked hard to build relationships with other local businesses in the region that are...

The Art of Making Hempler’s Pepperoni

The Art of Making Hempler’s Pepperoni

At Hempler’s we pride ourselves on the quality of the products we bring you, and the history and heritage behind them. Our pepperoni is no different - and crafting it is truly an art. Today we’re taking you behind the scenes to explain the essential elements that make...

Oktoberfest: History and Traditions

Oktoberfest: History and Traditions

Everyone knows that Oktoberfest has German roots, but few people know the history behind the annual celebration that is now replicated worldwide. With our Hempler’s heritage dating back to the 1800’s in Borken, Germany, Oktoberfest naturally holds a special place in...

Hempler Family Holiday Traditions

Hempler Family Holiday Traditions

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...and also the busiest. We recently had time to chat with Dick and Kestin Hempler and learn about some of their most well-loved family traditions - and also how they’re able to make time for them even when their business,...

Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham

Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham

Have you tried the Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham yet? Hempler's juicy, slow-smoked boneless and bone-in hams are hand fired right in the store with a crunchy, sweet organic honey glaze that makes for an unforgettable holiday meal. Here's how it's done: The flame...

Ham for Thanksgiving Instead of Turkey?!

Ham for Thanksgiving Instead of Turkey?!

Have you ever noticed how all of the traditional Thanksgiving sides pair perfectly with ham? Green beans + ham? Yes. Cranberry sauce + ham? Of course. Mashed potatoes + ham? Yum. Dinner rolls + ham? Delish. And while we know that you certainly can’t stuff a ham, most...

Five One-Pot Pasta Recipes You Have to Try

Five One-Pot Pasta Recipes You Have to Try

If you’re a pasta purist you may have been skeptical when one-pot pasta recipes started flooding social media a few years ago. Cooking noodles right in the sauce without draining? How is that even possible? But these types of recipes have persisted - which means...

Try This Now: The Most Decadent Thing to Do With Bacon

Try This Now: The Most Decadent Thing to Do With Bacon

Bacon. Fonduta. Fries. Just the thought of eating these sinful creations with crispy, magical Hempler’s bacon makes us feel all wicked and delightful inside. While they sound crazy complicated, they’re actually pretty simple, if you break it down into the four steps...

Guest Blog: Pea Salad with Hempler’s Bacon and Charred Onions

  Guest blogger Corie Cameron cooks beautiful food at home. She’s letting us in her kitchen for great posts using Hempler’s products. Check out more from her on her site, Good Life Everyday. Spring is here, and then summer, and that means BBQs and picnics galore!...

Corie Cameron’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Guest blogger Corie Cameron cooks beautiful food at home. She’s letting us in her kitchen for great posts using Hempler's products. Check out more from her on her site, Good Life Everyday.   The rain and dreariness in Tacoma have been unrelenting lately! All I've...

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Cooking bacon is an art form, with so many ways to turn slabs of perfectly made meat into crispy masterpieces. And the method you choose is up to you: In a skillet, oven, or even cooked over the campfire, like one of our favorite Instagrammers showed off recently....

Corie Cameron Chocolate Bacon Salted Caramel Cupcakes

  Guest blogger Corie Cameron cooks beautiful food at home. She’s letting us in her kitchen for great posts using Isernio’s products. Check out more from her on her site, Good Life Everyday.   Valentine's Day is coming RIIIIIGHT up, and I have such a fun,...

Bacon Jalapeno Popper Roll-Ups for the Home Game

Cheesy, bacony, spicy goodness is in the playbook for game day, with our new recipe for Bacon Jalapeño Popper Roll-Ups on the menu for the home game. Just roll em out, roll em up, and roll your way into a culinary victory that will keep them cheering til the last...