Nutrition: Promote What Beef Brings to the Table

Posted to BeefRetail.org in conjunction with July 2009 issue of Retail Beef Blast.

Dining out is one of the first luxuries to go during tough economic times, and it's no surprise that many consumers who are feeling the financial pinch are choosing to eat meals at home. In addition to saving money, another advantage of dining in is the ability to choose healthy ingredients to create nutritious meals. According to a recent FMI study, 91% of consumers report that they eat healthier when they cook their own meals.* You can help steer your customers in that healthy direction by teaching them that beef's nutrients play a key role in a well-balanced diet.  

Sharing beef nutrition facts with your customers can also help your bottom line. Research has shown that providing consumers with nutrition information like on-pack labeling can help increase beef sales, as well as generate positive attitudes about beef and its nutritional benefits. 

Here are some ways you can let your customers know all the goodness beef brings to the table:

The Message: Beef is a Nutrition Powerhouse

Make sure your meat associates know the facts about beef’s nutrition profile. Beef is: 

• Packed with Protein – Beef is an excellent source of high-quality protein that helps build and maintain healthy muscles and bones, keep a healthy weight and optimize metabolism.
• Nutrient-Rich – Along with being a top protein source, beef also provides many other nutrients that support a well-balanced diet, like zinc, iron, B vitamins, selenium and phosphorous.
• Lean – A total of 29 beef cuts are lean and contain less than 10 grams of total fat, 95 mg of cholesterol and 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat. With so many lean cuts available, including favorites like T-bone steak, tenderloin and flank steak, your customers have lots of beef choices to fit healthy lifestyles.
  
  For an overview of nutrition messages you can share with your customers, visit the Guide to Beef Nutrition Messages. 

The Method: Reaching Customers Effectively

As you consider how to implement nutrition messaging at the meat case, promote messages that ring true with customers. For example, studies indicate consumers seek out foods rich in protein, so strong protein messaging will be a big draw to your meat case.  But think about the full range of beef’s nutrition benefits as you reach out to customers using these resources:

On-Pack Labeling – "Nutrition Facts" panels placed directly on fresh beef packages are the most effective way to deliver nutrition information, because customers have the facts at their finger tips to make healthy choices at the meat case. Access the On-Pack Nutrition Labeling (OPNL) Implementation Guide for a complete "how to" manual on starting an OPNL program in your stores, or the Protein Database for On-Pack Nutrition Labeling to print nutrition labels.

Web Site – Make the most of your on-line messaging with a special section dedicated to beef nutrition. Highlight recipes using lean beef cuts for customers who want to enjoy the satisfying flavor and nutritional benefits of beef while sticking to healthy eating guidelines.

Access Nutrition Central for complete nutrition information and resources designed to effectively reach customers. Your customers will be on their way to gaining all the health benefits of beef, while you enjoy a healthy impact on your bottom line!

*U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends, FMI, 2008