Bill Westman, senior vice president for international affairs of the North American Meat Institute, and Janet Riley, senior vice president for public affairs, show off the group’s new logo at NAMI’s annual hot dog lunch today in the courtyard of the Rayburn House Office Building. NAMI was formed January 1 from the merger of the American Meat Institute and the North American Meat Association. Riley said the preferred shorthand reference for the group, which represents meat processors, is “the meat institute.” (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)

The North American Meat Institute, which was formed January 1 from the merger of the American Meat Institute and the North American Meat Association, held its first Congressional Hot Dog Lunch for lawmakers and congressional staff today, continuing a tradition begun 40 years ago by AMI.

There was a long line for Mookie Wilson of the Mets to sign memorabilia at the annual NAMI Congressional Hot Dog Lunch. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)

Guests were served more than 3,500 hot dogs, corndogs, brats, and other sausages from hot dog manufacturers including Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc.; Dietz & Watson Inc.; Hofmann Sausage Co. LLC; Hormel Foods Corp.; Land O’Frost Inc.; Smithfield Foods Inc.; and Tyson Foods Inc., NAMI said in a news release. All uncooked or pre-packaged leftover food will be donated to Carpenter’s Shelter, a local food bank.

The event was co-sponsored by the American Bakers Association, American Beverage Association, Diageo, Hormel Foods Corp., International Bottled Water Association and Snack Food Association. Beverages included margaritas, beer, soft drinks, and water.

The event was co-hosted by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and House Agriculture ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

 
With the temperature above 90 degrees, beverages included bottled margaritas, beer, soft drinks and NAMI-personalized water. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)