ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eighteen Genesee New York Dietetic Association dietetic members had an evening of networking, education and exploration of our beef food supply at its membership event in Rochester, N.Y., sponsored by New York Beef Council (NYBC) on Apr. 18.
At the event titled Behind the Scene Tour of Palmer Food Services, dietitians toured the Palmer Food Services’ warehouse and were shown how beef is packaged to supply restaurants and colleges in the Rochester area. The logistic efficiency and food safety handling were among the tour highlights.
They then learned about beef’s role in a healthy sustainable diet from Cindy Chan Phillips, MS, MBA, RD, director of nutrition education of NYBC, in the presentation titled Today’s Beef: The Nutrition Story.
The attendees were shown how to help consumers build a healthy eating pattern inclusive of a variety of lean proteins, such as lean beef. They also explored the recent research supporting the health benefits of lean beef in a healthy diet, such as the BeefWISE (Weight Improvement Satisfaction Energy)1 study. The attendees also learned about the grass-fed and grain-fed beef definitions.
The attendees were very engaged to learn the facts on how beef is sustainably grown. They were interested in knowing how cattle upcycled human-inedible grass and by-products into high quality, nourishing protein. At the event, attendees enjoyed a nutritious dinner of beef tacos and assorted vegetables.
Survey results of participants showed the event was very successful. After the event, 79 percent said they would be more likely to recommend beef to clients. About 80 percent improved greatly their knowledge that beef is part of a healthy diet.
“The Palmer event sponsored by NY Beef provided a perfect blend of evidence-based research, hands-on learning and resources,” said Abigail Andrew Copenhaver, R.D., Genesee Dietetic Association president, and owner of Farmstead Nutrition and Consulting. “That will help dietitians educate our clients, patients and communities on making beef a part of a healthy and balanced diet.”
“The behind-the-scene tour was eye-opening,” said Chan Phillips. “It is rewarding to see the attendees gain more confidence in helping their clients enjoy beef and feel good about it”. Phillips’ work with the NYBC is financially supported by the Kansas and Nebraska Beef Councils.
For more information on the event, contact Cindy Chan Phillips, R.D., cphillips@nybeef.org.
1 Sayer RD, et al. Equivalent reductions in body weight during the Beef WISE Study: Beef’s Role in Weight Improvement, Satisfaction, and Energy. Obes Sci Pract 2017.
–New York Beef Council