COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR CALIFORNIA BEEF COUNCIL TARGETS K-12 SCHOOL NUTRITION WITH STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS

by California Beef Council Director of Producer Education Mackenzie Neves

One of the priorities that the California Beef Council’s (CBC) nutrition program has taken on is that of promoting beef as a valuable component of K-12 school nutrition. Recognizing the significant impact of school meals on children’s health and well-being, the CBC has strategically positioned itself to advocate for the inclusion of beef in school menus. Through partnerships, sponsorships, and educational forums, the CBC aims to highlight the nutritional benefits and versatility of beef within childhood nutrition programs across California.

CBC staff was on-hand at one of the first nutrition conferences of the year, the 2023 FCP (Food and Culinary Professionals) Culinary Workshop held in the Napa Valley on March 23-25. This workshop is a highly anticipated event for food and culinary professionals affiliated with the esteemed Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. With the primary goal of augmenting the culinary expertise of Academy members nationwide, this three-day workshop attracted participants from various corners of the country. The CBC stepped forward as a key sponsor, lending support to multiple beef-focused workshop sessions, providing a speaker for a keynote session, and creating and hosting an engaging pre-event workshop.

The pre-event workshop, hosted by the CBC and cosponsored with the Nebraska Beef Council (NBC), Kansas Beef Council (KBC), and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), attracted 53 out of the 106 FCP registrants. Attendees included representatives from esteemed institutions such as Stanford School of Medicine and Colorado State University, as well as influential stakeholders like Aramark and Bon Appѐtite. The highlight of the pre-event workshop was a blind taste conducted by renowned sensory expert Dr. Hoby Welder. Four dishes, featuring cleverly incorporated, affordable and versatile cuts of beef with a plant-forward twist, showcased how beef’s flavor profile can complement the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while providing 10 essential nutrients.

The CBC capitalized on this multi-state and national partnership, effectively utilizing Beef

Checkoff dollars to host a premiere event that reached key audiences in the food, culinary, and dietetic sectors. This is a great example of how the state and national Beef Checkoff partnership expands the reach, and maximizes the effectiveness of checkoff funding.

Continuing their commitment to promoting sound nutrition, the CBC was also the major sponsor of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CANDAC) Annual Conference, held in Long Beach, CA. This year’s conference saw an alliance between CANDAC, the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (ANFP), and the Association of Correctional Food Service Affiliates (ACFSA), bringing together nearly 600 attendees. As a top sponsor, the CBC facilitated two educational sessions that offered valuable insights to participants.

One of the sessions, titled “Leadership and Purpose with Communication,” featured registered dietician nutritionist Hawley Poinsett of Let’s Love Food Again. Poinsett’s expertise shed light on effective ways to communicate nutrition information, inspiring and empowering individuals to make lasting dietary changes. In a collaborative effort, the CBC and the Dairy Council of California co-sponsored the keynote session titled “Bringing Farms to Schools: Exploring California’s Farm to School Programs.” The panel discussion highlighted the significance of locally sourced, fresh, and nutritious food in school meals. Panelists included Chef Juan Zamorano from San Diego Unified School District, Tyler Ribeiro, a California dairy farmer, and Miguel Villarreal from the National Farm to School Network. Moderating the discussion was registered dietitian nutritionist Shannan Young from the Dairy Council of California. The collective expertise shared by these industry experts shed light on the innovative efforts to improve student health and well-being through increased access to healthy foods.

In addition to educational sessions and sponsorship of conferences, the CBC actively engaged with credentialed healthcare and food professionals in California through expo booth spaces and networking events with students and universities. This collaborative approach fosters ongoing dialogue and builds partnerships to further advance nutrition education and awareness.

Further solidifying their commitment to industry engagement, the CBC’s registered dietitian, Kori Dover, participated as a speaker at the American Commodity Distribution Association (ACDA) 2023 annual conference. A non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commodity distribution system and supporting charitable causes related to hunger and disaster relief, the ACDA conference provided an ideal platform for the over 950 attending professionals to exchange ideas.

By strategically aligning themselves with like-minded organizations, the CBC harnessed the power of their partnerships to extend their influence and amplify their impact in the food, culinary, and dietetic sectors. With their active engagement with healthcare and food professionals, as well as their participation in industry conferences, the CBC continues to spearhead efforts to advance beef nutrition education and awareness, ultimately striving to improve the health and well-being of individuals across the nation.