11-2 IAN Beef Savings

 These are economic times that require many of us to, in the words of former Pres. Calvin Coolidge, save our pennies and let the dollars take care of themselves. You can include beef in that economic equation.

 I had a recent conversation with the Executive Director of the Idaho Beef Council, Traci O’Donnell, who pointed out that beef gives consumers a lot of bang for the buck.  “Research continues to indicate that consumers are feeling economic pressures which include higher prices at the gas pump, escalating food prices, and one of the most common things we find with consumers is that when it comes to cutting costs, they often reduce their food expenditures and they look for ways to cut things at the grocery store, which for those of us in the beef industry, is a bit concerning. The last thing we want is our consumers trading down or trading out of the beef category altogether to cheaper proteins or carbohydrates. This is one place where the beef checkoff comes in through outreach and education activities. We are out there as the front lines for beef producers reminding consumers of ways that they can stretch their meals. This time of year it is crock pot and roast season. You can cook a roast tonight and turn it into a steak salad tomorrow. So that is 2 meals and increases your ability to stretch your dollars and feed your family a good healthy and nutritious meal.