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Nebraska’s Beef in Schools program grows in popularity

A Nebraska program that helps beef producers provide beef to their local school lunch programs continues to grow in popularity.

More than 50 school districts are now participating in the Nebraska Beef in Schools program, which was started by some county cattle groups in 2014. The Nebraska Cattlemen’s organization is now coordinating the effort statewide and spokeswoman Laura Field says it has been very well received.

“For some school districts, they might have offered beef once every two weeks. And now they’re offering it three times every two weeks,” Field says. “It’s just really great quality and I think a lot of it comes too from parents who said, ‘We want our kids eating better in school—so if you put more beef in front of them, we think it’s fantastic’.”

Field says the program also helps school-age children learn about where their beef comes from.

“We’ve worked with the Beef Council and other groups who are able to provide some of that educational material,” she says. “Because part of it is a learning tool, where students understand they’re getting this great product and this is part of the economy of their community and the ranchers are helping support their school.

“It really has been a very positive thing and we’ve seen a boom in schools participating in it.”

Field says the program is a win-win for schools and students, and the state’s beef producers.

AUDIO: Laura Field