Farmer John Will No Longer Be Supplier Of Dodger Dogs
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Dodger Stadium's iconic Dodger Dogs will no longer be supplied by Vernon-based Farmer John, the company announced.
Tulare resident and Dodger fan Steven Valenzuela drove to the game Monday in anticipation of the new Dodger Dog.
"It tastes the same, a Dodger Dog, you know. I always tell people it tastes better at Dodger Stadium," Valenzuela told CBSLA's Rick Montanez.
"Farmer John had a long-standing and valued relationship with the Dodgers," Farmer John's parent company Smithfield Foods said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "After the 2019 season, Farmer John made the difficult business decision not to renew its contract with the Dodgers. ... Unfortunately, through the latest contract negotiations, we were unable to come to an agreement that was beneficial for both parties."
The famous stadium treat will still be available to fans, but they will no longer be Farmer John dogs.
"The taste is relatively the same. It's just a tad bit smaller and I don't think it's as crispy," Dodger fan Nathan Pu told CBSLA.
The Dodgers are 10 home games in with 80,000 Dodger Dogs served so far this season and no one seems to be complaining, according to the team.
The famous hot dogs will now be provided by another Vernon-based distributor — Papa Cantella's. The family-owned business has been making frankfurters since 1980.
Just like the Farmer John version, they are specially made for Dodgers Stadium. They hope to supply around 3 million hot dogs a year once the stadium is full again.
"Honestly, I can't believe it, but it's 2021 and anything can happen at this point," said Dodger fan Anthony Carcamo.
In the meantime, those searching for the classic Farmer John dog can wander over to a Los Angeles Football Club match.
Last week, the company announced it is sponsoring the soccer club for a second year.
