The latest news for the National Beef checkoff is here! The Council has several exciting new promotions and two new Web sites.

New Categories Announced for 27th Annual National Beef Cook-Off®
Entries are now being accepted for the 27th National Beef Cook-Off®, funded by the Beef checkoff. The event, on tap for Sept. 11-13, 2007, in Chicago, is America’s premier amateur beef-cooking contest. This year’s theme is “Seize Life,” encompassing the essence of the contest’s four new categories and the role that beef plays in an active lifestyle. The new categories are: New Dynamic Beef Dishes, Nuevo Latino Beef Recipes, Kids in the Kitchen and ‘Small Plates, Big Taste’ Grilled for Everyday Entertaining.

New Checkoff-Funded Hispanic Web Site Launched
The Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing segments in the United States. A new checkoff-funded site was recently launched to provide this group with information about beef. The site includes a variety of recipes catering to Hispanic tastes, plus nutrition and cooking information all about beef.

Checkoff’s Summer Grilling Program Boosts Beef Sales, Keeps Beef Top-of-Mind
Checkoff-funded efforts like the summer grilling campaign help promote beef at the retail level and educate retailers about beef and beef products. Recently released figures show beef dollar sales and pound sales were up 3 percent and 6 percent, respectively, in 40 markets across the country during last year’s Summer Grilling Program — conducted between June and September 2006. Beef grilling cuts accounted for 67 percent of total beef dollar sales during the 18-week campaign.

Creating Awareness for Shredded Beef
Shredded beef offers versatility for multiple ethnic cuisines and multiple menu applications. To help communicate these benefits, the checkoff’s Beef Innovations Group recently completed two new pieces that include a Shredded Beef sell sheet and a Shredded Beef brochure/mailer.

New Beef Production Web Site Launched
The new checkoff-funded Web site about beef production is live. The site explains beef production from “Pasture to Plate” for consumers, media and influencer audiences. The site is a resource for these audiences to learn about beef production, beef cooking basics and beef recipes.