New Beef Nutrition “Patch” Program Gets Showcased to Girl Scouts

Thousands of Girl Scout enthusiasts had a recent opportunity to explore a new nutrition and physical activity program designed especially for them through the beef checkoff.  “Fit for a Princess” was showcased at the Girl Scout USA National Convention in Long Beach, Calif., and the Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff in Anaheim, Calif., as part of the industry’s effort to increase understanding of nutritional contributions of beef among this important audience. 

More than 10,000 Girl Scout staff, troop leaders and Girl Scouts themselves attended the national convention, while another 600 attended the ASGSES meeting in Anaheim.  The meetings were held the week of Oct. 14.

The kit and its promotion in California was conducted on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“Fit for a Princess” is designed for Junior Girl Scouts (girls ages 8 to 11) and addresses the fact that girls in this age group do not get enough zinc or iron, according to the USDA.  In addition, USDA statistics show that only 13 percent of girls this age eat the minimum number of servings from the meat group per day.  That figure only increases to 26 percent for girls in the 12-19 age category.

At the same time, only half of sixth graders get enough physical activity – with girls even less active than boys.

“This program is designed to give girls a chance to have fun and embrace fantasy,” said Gary Sharp, a beef producer from Bath, S.D. and chairman of the Joint Youth Education and Information Committee.  “It’s a memorable activity that entertains just as well as it educates.” 

The ‘Fit for a Princess’ program has a “readers theater” component, allowing girls to dress up and perform in a skit that puts them in the role of princesses.  Each of the girls participating has a chance to play the role of “Princess ZIP.” These represent the leading nutrients in beef, zinc, iron and protein.  After participating in the program, girls get a patch to put on a vest they wear.

Authored by a registered dietitian with 30 years of experience, the program has obtained a favorable review from the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.

Testing in three states of an initial printing of the activity shows that this educational effort for beef is highly successful.  Before participating in the activity, 50 percent of girls tested said they believed beef was a healthy food.  After participating, 73 percent said it was their opinion that beef was a healthy food. 

In addition, before the activity only 38 percent of Girl Scouts could name iron, protein and zinc as important beef nutrients.  After participating 83 percent could identify them as important nutrients found in beef.

“State beef councils play a pivotal role in this program,” said Sharp.  The beef councils are being provided with copies of the activity based on the number of Girl Scout troops in their states.  The councils can devote as much time as they wish distributing the materials and collaborating with their local Girl Scout Councils.  Currently 28 states have ordered, used or requested copies of “Fit for a Princess.”

A second printing of the activity was sold out after only three weeks.  The program is currently on back order.

There are more than 2.7 million members of Girl Scouts and Junior Girl Scouts, as well as 860,000 adult members, in the U.S.

“The Junior Girl Scouts and their leaders who were introduced to this program at their California Convention were really excited about it,” said Sharp.  “The nutritional and physical activity messages are certainly important to the adults, while the theater and fantasy elements added a special spark for the girls.  We think it adds a social context to all of our classroom activities and greatly extends the beef industry’s efforts to reach young people with great beef messages.”