• Americans eat approximately 100 acres of pizza each day.

• Every man, woman and child eats 46 slices of pizza a year. 

• Approximately 3 billion pizzas are sold in the United States annually.

• Pepperoni is Americans’ most favored topping, while anchovies take last place.

Because of its unique geography and varied climate, farmers in Michigan are able to grow ingredients used in pizza. Pizza is basically a crust made of flour, eggs and oil. Tomato sauce, cheese and a variety of toppings are placed on top. Onions, mushrooms, extra cheese, pepperoni, hamburger and green peppers are among the many toppings that are grown in Michigan. 

Americans choose pepperoni as their favorite topping – more than 251 million pounds a year! Pepperoni is a highly spiced sausage made from pork. Pork comes from hogs, and in Michigan, Cass, Allegan, Ottawa, Huron and Branch are the top hog-producing counties.

Pizza includes an ample use of vegetables. Vegetables used fresh and those sent to processing plants include tomatoes for tomato sauce, onions and peppers. Most are grown in the southern half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The 10 counties with the most number of farms growing vegetables are Oceana, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Allegan, Berrien, Newaygo, Mason, Ottawa, Lenawee and Macomb. 

Cheese made from milk from dairy cows is a delicious and nutritious part of pizza. Sanilac, Clinton, Allegan, Huron and Ottawa counties have the most milk cows.

Some people like hamburger on their pizza. Hamburger comes from beef cows. In Michigan, Osceola, Eaton, Barry, Allegan, and Calhoun counties have the most beef cows.

All over the state of Michigan, farmers are busy keeping up with America's monster appetite for pizza. 

Growing Pizza in Michigan

Check out all the toppings that are grown or raised here in Michigan ...

Beef

There are approximately 95,000 beef cows in Michigan.
Did you know that cows have four stomach compartments used to break down hay and grass? Humans, who only have one stomach compartment cannot digest the same things cows can.

Pork

There are approximately 950,000 pigs in Michigan.

Did you know that pigs can run a mile in 7 minutes?

Mushrooms

Michigan sells over 11.6 pounds of white button mushrooms a year

Did you know that mushrooms are 90% water?

Onions

Michigan sells 94.5 million pounds of onions a year.

Did you know that to prevent tears when cutting onions, chill the onion first and start cutting on the opposite end as the root?

Peppers

Michigan sells over 46.2 million pounds of bell peppers each year.

Did you know that bell peppers change color from green to yellow to red? The taste gets sweeter as the pepper gets closer to red, but most are sold when green.

Tomatoes

Michigan tomatoes are a $25 million business.

Did you know that a tomato was grown by the Incas and Aztecs as early as 700 A.D.? European explorers took the tomato back to Europe where it was called "The Apple of Love.”

Cheese

Michigan produces limited quantities of cheese each year. Most Michigan milk is used for other dairy products.

Did you know that cheese was first made in Asia over 4,000 years ago?

Herbs

Basil, cilantro, oregano, sage and thyme are herbs used in pizza sauce. Herbs are grown in Michigan year-round.

Did you know that hundreds of years ago oregano was used to heal snake bites, newlywed couples wore wreaths of oregano for well-being, and burning oregano was thought to keep away evil spirits?

Sources

Michigan Agricultural Statistics 1999-2000

"Pizza Facts", July 2002

"The Pizza Farm Agricultural Awareness Program", July 2002