May Is National Beef Month
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As the weather warms, people fire up their barbecues, grab their tongs, and reach for mouth-watering steaks and other beef cuts for the grill as they begin another season of creating memories with family and friends. By keeping such rituals alive, local consumers are supporting the cattle growers of North Central Montana. Perhaps those reasons explain why May was named National Beef Month.
To celebrate, beef is this month's featured Harvest of the Month (HOM) for
K-12 schools, afterschool programs, Summer Food Service Programs, early care and education facilities, and healthcare institutions in Montana. According to HOM program designers, Montana is home to more cows than people and ranks sixth in the nation for the number of beef cattle. A collaboration between the Montana Office of Public Instruction, Montana State University Extension, Montana Department of Agriculture, and several other partners, the HOM program showcases Montana grown foods in Montana communities.
With beef being profiled this month, school lunch menus are offering such beef-themed meals as cheeseburger soup, traveling tacos, country fried beef patties, French dip sandwiches, and meatballs with mashed potatoes.
According to the Montana Beef Council "If there were a protein contest, beef would surely be crowned the king! One three-ounce cooked serving of beef provides 25 grams (50% of the recommended Daily Value) of this important nutrient."
A nutritional powerhouse, that same serving is a great source of nine other essential nutrients, including iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorous, and several of the B vitamins. These nutrients not only support a heart-healthy living but give our bodies strength and help us to thrive and grow through the many stages of life.
About National Beef Month, Teddy Crowley, Past President of the North Central Montana Stockgrowers Association, described the designation as "a time to recognize beef producers for the delicious products they produce. With that said, Montana is known for some of the best beef in the world. The beef industry in Montana produces 1.7 billion in receipts annually. Much of that money is redistributed throughout local communities, helping the economy thrive. As producers, we take great pride in our lifestyle and the quality beef we are able to put forth for the public to enjoy. We truly appreciate the fact that we are recognized with a National Beef Month for the effort we put forth. I'm biased, of course, but I definitely think Blaine County raises great beef!"
