1998 News Archive
BEEF INDUSTRY REACHES NATION'S DIETITIANS AT CONVENTION
CHICAGO (November 3, 1998) - A broad-based nutrition education push for beef reached more than 7,000 dietitians and other health professionals at The American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) Annual Meeting in Kansas City Oct. 19-22. Both beef producers and industry dietitians were involved in the checkoff-funded effort, part of an extensive ongoing program to assure that nutrition educators have factual information to use in educating patients and clients.
One element of the effort was a beef checkoff-sponsored exhibit reminding convention attendees that there are seven cuts of lean beef that fall between the chicken breast and chicken thigh in terms of total fat content. Thousands of dietitians stopped by the exhibit to fill out surveys on dietitian information needs and sign up for a drawing to win free Kansas City strip steaks. While there, the dietitians could consult with nutrition experts on staff at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) about beef research and science and the specific role of beef in good health. Beef producer leaders at the exhibit explained the importance the industry places on good nutrition and health.
A highlight at the exhibit was the launch of a Web site designed especially for beef nutrition education. The site, www.beefnutrition.org, was developed by a team of registered dietitians to provide a definitive source for nutrition and science information related to beef. Also unveiled at the meeting was a checkoff-funded nutrition education kit for consumers called "It’s All About You."
"I was absolutely impressed with the response by the dietitians who stopped by the booth," says Dave Bateman, a beef producer who helped greet meeting attendees. "They’re on the front line as far as dietary recommendations, so it’s important that we reach them with really good information on beef and nutrition." Bateman, a cattle feeder from Elburn, Ill., is chairman of the beef industry’s Nutrition and Health Committee. Also participating at the exhibit in Kansas City was Lyle Gray, a beef producer from Leon, Ks., vice chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and chairman of that organization’s executive committee.
A checkoff-funded session held during the ADA’s convention also helped reach health professionals with information on the future of nutrition communications, using a research-based model. The speakers presented a tool kit for "It’s All About You," a program being supported by the beef industry that takes a reasonable, practical approach to education. In addition, an ADA Foundation dinner provided attendees – who are the leaders in the nutrition education field – with a great beef-eating experience, and an opportunity for additional contact between beef producers and dietitians. Along with Gray and Bateman, Charles Jones, a beef producer from Dawn, Mo., and vice chairman of the beef industry’s Food & Nutrition Issues/Policy Subcommittee, greeted and visited with health educators.
"This was an outstanding opportunity to visit with people who make a difference in what is eaten in schools, hospitals and homes across the country," says Gray. "The health professional audience is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about its charge to educate consumers and others, so this audience is a natural target for beef industry efforts."
Reaction to the beef industry’s participation in the ADA conference was positive, Gray says, with attendees praising the education session, dinner, booth and opportunity to meet with beef producer leaders. Agricultural and consumer media also helped promote the event and the beef industry’s participation.
-- NCBA --
The Nutrition Education Program is funded by the national beef checkoff, which is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. The 111 members on this board are volunteers and checkoff-payers appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee the collection of the $1-per-head checkoff, certify state beef councils, implement the provisions of the Federal Order establishing the checkoff and evaluate the effectiveness of checkoff programs.
Coordination of the Nutrition Education Program is conducted by NCBA, the marketing organization and trade association for America’s cattle ranchers and farmers. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.