As a native Iowan, Nick Iaria knew the importance of pork to the state.

“Pork is an industry that helps drive Iowa. Pork is such a big commodity here in Iowa, that it really feeds a multitude of different families in many ways. Whether it’s the farmers selling it to us, the Iowans eating it, we export it. I think it’s a big deal,” he said.

And within the last few weeks, after the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) named his restaurant as the winner of its “Best Breaded Tenderloin” contest, he’s...