Your Beef Checkoff Dollars at Work Investing in Beef Safety, Nutrition and Promotion BEEF CHECKOFF FEEDS HUNGRY OHIOANS THROUGH THE BEEF FAMILIES CARE FUND
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact communities across the state in countless ways. In response, the Ohio Beef Council (OBC) established the Beef Families Care fund, a matching program to assist non-profit agricultural groups that are working to provide beef meals and nutrition education to Ohioans in need and encourage beef consumption in local communities throughout 2020. As a result, six groups across the state were able to provide Ohioans in need with over 22,000 pounds of edible beef, totaling approximately 88,000 individual meals served. These incredible efforts were made possible through the Ohio Beef Checkoff program, because of several pandemic-related event cancellations, including the 2020 Ohio State Fair. OBC reallocated these beef checkoff
resources to assist groups who were providing beef nutrition education to local food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens and other entities that helped to feed hungry Ohioans.
BEEF CHECKOFF PROMOTION PROVIDES BEEF TO OHIO FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS
In December, the Ohio Beef Council hosted a social media holiday giveaway providing five Ohio families with a $200-valued Beef Prize pack courtesy of Ohio’s beef farmers. Entrants were asked to follow the Ohio Beef Council Facebook and Instagram account and provide their contact information to be considered. The randomly selected winners received $150 worth of various cuts of beef, a Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner holiday apron and oven mitt set and other various information on how to cook and prepare beef, courtesy of the Beef Checkoff. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” shared one winner. “I am very excited to try the various cuts. This was such a gift to me and my family. Thank you again for this opportunity.” Overall, 4,777 people entered the contest resulting in over 1,000 new followers to the Ohio Beef Council Facebook as well as an additional 1,000
to the Instagram account, helping reach consumers where they engage online through various social media platforms.
“BEEF BRIEFS” DIETETICS NEWSLETTER LAUNCH
Every other month, OBC’s Registered Dietitian, Anna Gest, will be sending out an e-news letter to health professionals to continue communicating the nutritional benefits of beef. The newsletter features a healthy recipe, upcoming events, a piece of research and a farmer profile to help health professionals better understand the benefits of beef and how their food gets from pasture to plate.
BQA PRESENTATION ABOUT THE CHECKOFF
In January, Executive Director, Elizabeth Harsh gave a presentation on the Beef Checkoff to all BQA Trainers in the state of Ohio during their annual “Train the Trainer” meeting. BQA is one of the largest advancements of the Beef Checkoff, leading to the enhancement of beef quality and improved consumer eating satisfaction – making it key that trainers understand the importance of the checkoff and the resources it provides. BQA Trainers were given information on how the beef checkoff works, who is required to remit and the resources it provides to both producers and consumers.
The Ohio Beef Council and the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board are responsible for developing programs that increase the demand for beef. For more information, contact the Ohio Beef Council at 614-873-6736, beef@ohiobeef.org or visit www.ohiobeef.org. Ohio Beef Council Operating Committee: Erin Stickel, Bowling Green, Chairman • Bill Sexten, Washington C.H., Vice Chairman • Stan Smith, Canal Winchester, Treasurer • Mandy Atterholt, Loudonville Dave Felumlee, Newark • Lou Ellen Harr, Jeromesville • Stephanie Harris, St. Clairsville • Jake Osborn, Lynchburg • Becky Reed, Springfield • Sam Roberts, South Charleston Allan Robison, Cable • Garth Ruff, Malta • Kurt Steiner, Creston • Susie Turner, Somerset • Barb Watts, Alexandria • Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director 26 | Ohio Cattleman | Expo Issue 2021
