THE FEDERATION OF

BEEF COUNCILS

Building beef demand by inspiring , unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership .

Beyond being a source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients , which can help build muscle , beef also builds strong communities . These state beef councils partner with local organizations to help those in need by keeping beef on the plate .

PITCHING IN TO HELP OTHERS

In honor of North Dakota ’ s ranchers and cattle farmers , the minor league Bismarck Larks baseball team changed their name to the Heartland Holy Cows for one game on Aug . 8 . Players and coaches wore specially designed hats and jerseys for the game , which were then auctioned off courtesy of the North Dakota Beef Commission ( NDBC ).

More than $ 1,300 was raised to purchase beef for the Great Plains Food Bank , and the donation impacted 75 families in need . NDBC also invited its board of directors to attend a food-packing session at the food bank , where they packed more than 22,000 lbs of canned goods in only an hour and a half .

“ We are working together to make sure beef is on the menu for families in need ,” said Rhi Wenzel , NDBC communications specialist .

The NDBC ’ s partnership with the Larks also involved educating the athletes . Registered dietitian Amy Goodson spoke to players about proper nutrition and how beef plays a role in building muscle .

For more information , visit www . ndbeef . org .

YOU CAN ’ T LIVE A FULL LIFE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Following a successful fundraising campaign , the Wisconsin Beef Council ( WBC ) donated nearly $ 1,200 to Feeding Wisconsin to provide beef for families in need across the state . The WBC fundraiser sold shirts featuring the slogan , “ You can ’ t live a full life on an empty stomach .”

“ Ensuring access to beef is important to our organization , and we are proud to work together to help Wisconsin ’ s food banks ,” WBC Director of Communications and Outreach Kaitlyn Kesler said . “ Beef brings value to the table at all stages of life as a rich protein source offering 10 essential nutrients that are crucial for growing young minds and bodies as well as maintaining strength as we age .” Based on recent Feeding America Map the Meal Gap data , more than 600,000 Wisconsinites , including more than 200,000 children , are food insecure . These numbers , coupled with the fact that the cost per meal has increased by more than $ 1 in recent years , results in Wisconsin families having a shortage of $ 450 million to make up on their own and an annual meal gap of more than 116 million meals . The WBC has a longstanding partnership with Feeding Wisconsin , donating $ 7,000 to the organization from previous efforts .

For more information , visit www . beeftips . com .

BEEF UP ARIZONA

Arizona Beef Council ’ s third annual “ Beef Up Arizona ” campaign raised $ 2,374 , equaling 11,870 meals , for St . Mary ’ s Food Bank to provide high-quality protein to Arizonans in need . Arizona ’ s ranching landscape served as the real-life inspiration for the colorful “ Beef Up Arizona ” t-shirt design . Popular clothing apparel company , State Forty Eight , gives back to their community by helping local businesses and non-profits show their local pride . The campaign highlighted the importance of beef in a healthy diet while supporting efforts to address food insecurity in the state .

“ The donation comes at a critical time of the year , when donations of protein are down ,” shared St . Mary ’ s Food Bank ’ s Corporate Giving Officer John Drake . “ The donation helps us provide nutritious meals to our hungry neighbors in need .”

For more information , visit www . arizonabeef . org .

24 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org