SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Central New York registered dietitians gained confidence about beef cuts at the Shopper Guidance in the Beef Case – from Confusion to Confidence event Feb. 8, 2018. The event was hosted by the New York Beef Council at a TOPS supermarket in Syracuse N.Y. In celebration of February Heart Month, the Central New York Dietetic Association (CNDYDA) collaborated with the NYBC in offering this educational tour to its RD members.
Eleven RDs attended the education tour. The training began with an overview of the consumers’ lifestyle and budget needs when shopping for healthy family meals. At the meat case section of the retail store, the RDs explored the beef cuts and recipes that pair best with seasonal fruits and vegetables. To reinforce the learning, they were able to select the Top Sirloin and Top Round beef cuts that are featured in many of American Heart Association (AHA) certified heart-healthy recipes, which can be found on www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
The attendees enjoyed a nutritious dinner of Sweet Onion and Pepper Beef Sandwiches and reflected on what they learned from the tour. Every attendee took home a training binder of resources and recipes, as well as a grocery bag containing produce and one pound of lean ground beef, to practice cooking an AHA-certified recipe at home.
The event was very successful. On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best, 100 percent of attendees rated the event a 4 or 5. Almost 62 percent said they will more likely recommend beef as a source of protein, and 100 percent said their knowledge about beef nutrition in heart health has improved.
“I learned so much such as the placement of meats at the counter according to seasons, as well as techniques for the cooking and cutting of meats,” said Maureen Franklin, RD, an attendee.
“Dietitians and retail RDs are the go-to sources on wellness,” said Cindy Chan Phillips, MBA, RD, NYBC director of nutrition education. “Many are not familiar with the meat case in the stores. The training bridges the gap and helps the RDs understand the shoppers’ needs and common confusion around buying beef. Now they can offer the tour on their own!”
Phillips’ work with the New York Beef Council is financially supported by the Kansas and Nebraska Beef Councils.
For more information on the event, contact Cindy Chan Phillips, RD, cphillips@nybeef.org
–New York Beef Council