As grills get going this summer, the Florida Beef Council is highlighting trends with beef, and we caught up with Deanne Maples with the Florida Beef Council to learn more. “Summer is really such a natural fit for beef. People are spending more time outdoors, they are getting together with family and friends, and they are firing up the grill throughout those gatherings,” Maples said.
Maples also said, “one thing we have continued to see is that consumers are still choosing beef, even while they’re being more careful with their grocery budgets. People really want foods that work hard for them. They are looking for the flavor, the versatility, the value, and of course, nutrition.”
“And we know beef checks all those boxes. Protein is really, if you followed any of the news topics in terms of nutrition, protein is one of the biggest conversations in food right now. And to be honest, I’m paying more attention to protein myself these days. I find myself counting the amount of protein I am taking in. And so, I know a lot of consumers are doing the same. People really are becoming more intentional about the foods that they choose and the nutrition those foods provide,” adds Maples
“And beef is a great source of a high quality. It is a complete protein. It has lots of other important nutrients like iron and zinc and B vitamins. And so, I think that is really one reason it continues to resonate so strongly with consumers. And from the Florida Beef Council’s perspective, that is why we invest in programs that connect with consumers where they are,” said Maples.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin and Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.