2000 News Archive
CONVENIENT BEEF PRODUCTS HIGHLIGHTED AT KEY FOODSERVICE EVENT
DENVER, CO (October 20, 2000) –– Convenient beef products were the stars of a beef checkoff-sponsored reception and other programs at a key foodservice industry conference in Atlanta this September. Coordinated by the National Cattlemen`s Beef Association (NCBA) on behalf of the Cattlemen`s Beef Board and state beef councils, the efforts were conducted at the Multi-unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) Conference. They helped showcase new products to boost the use of value-added products and increase the appearance of beef on chain restaurant menus across the country.
The reception was called "Sports Night", and attracted more than 700 top executives from the country’s leading foodservice companies, including Applebee’s International, Denny’s, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, Sizzler and all major quick service food establishments, including McDonald`s, Burger King and Wendy`s. Twelve value-added products from the beef or veal chuck and round were featured in innovative menu applications which gave attendees the opportunity to see first hand the quality and versatility of these convenient beef products.
The event also gave manufacturers the opportunity to increase visibility of their products as well as stimulate interest and trial among important buyers. Manufacturers present included Hillshire Farm & Kahn’s, Advance Foods, Farmland, Sara Lee, King’s Command, Midwest Pride (No Name Steaks) and Provimi Veal. The reception sponsorship also helps the beef industry maintain its position as a leader in the foodservice marketplace and supports national chain partnership efforts.
In addition to the reception, conference attendees had an opportunity to stop by the NCBA booth at the MUFSO trade show and sample two new beef and veal products: a Boneless Beef Filet and a Yankee Veal Pot Roast. Both products were well received.
"Beef is the number one item on commercial restaurant menus in the U.S. today," according to Lisa Hefner, a beef producer from Seminole, Okla., and vice chairman of the beef industry`s Foodservice Committee. "We need to continue our successful efforts to build relationships with chain restaurant operators and make sure beef and veal continue to play a prominent role in their establishments."
Beef industry foodservice marketing efforts are funded by beef producers through their $1-per-head checkoff program and are managed for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The national beef checkoff is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. This 110-member board is 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.
# # #
Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen`s Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.