The National Restaurant Association announced that the Beef Checkoff Program is a new sponsor of the Association’s award-winning Kids LiveWell program, a voluntary industrywide initiative designed to help make the healthful choice the easy choice when dining out with children.

The Association applauded the checkoff for its commitment to promoting and developing nutritious kids’ meals.

“The partnership between Kids LiveWell and the beef checkoff offers valuable opportunities to promote the important role that lean protein plays in building a healthful meal,” said Joan McGlockton, vice president, Industry Affairs & Food Policy, National Restaurant Association (NRA). “The sponsorship will aid current participants and restaurants looking to join the program by identifying healthful, innovative recipes that highlight lean cuts of beef, helping to provide the industry’s youngest patrons with the essential nutrients they need.”

In conjunction with its sponsorship, the checkoff has identified a collection of kid-friendly recipes in its database of triple-tested, on-trend recipes that meet the Kids LiveWell criteria. To make it turnkey for operators to incorporate these items on their menus, the recipes, nutritionals and pairing suggestions are available online.

The 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans build a healthy plate with nutrient-rich foods, including lean protein. High quality lean beef provides nutrients that are vital for a healthy and active lifestyle, from infancy to adulthood.

Currently, Kids LiveWell includes 150 restaurant brands representing more than 42,000 locations nationwide.