Childhood is a critical time to prioritize balanced nutrition due to its essential role in supporting healthy growth and development. However, nutrient deficiencies are alarmingly common during this life stage - the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlights the low diet quality scores of American children and adolescents, many of whom are not getting enough high-quality protein, iron, zinc, choline, and vitamins B6 and B12. Incorporating beef as a flavorful component of plant-forward school meals can help close these nutrient gaps, help model healthy eating patterns, and help to nourish American school children - supporting their growth, development, and overall good health. Ultimately, with this strong foundation, American school children and adolescents will be more enabled to reach their full potential.

School nutrition professionals are faced with everyday challenges to providing affordable and versatile healthy dietary choices that the children and adolescents they serve will eat. Beef is a nutrient dense, flavorful and familiar food that can increase nutrient quality of school meals and may encourage the consumption of other healthy foods including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Learn innovative and simple opportunities for including beef on your plant-forward school menu.

Childhood is a critical time to prioritize balanced nutrition due to its essential role in supporting healthy growth and development. However, nutrient deficiencies are alarmingly common during this life stage - the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlights the low diet quality scores of American children and adolescents, many of whom are not getting enough high-quality protein, iron, zinc, choline, and vitamins B6 and B12. Incorporating beef as a flavorful component of plant-forward school meals can help close these nutrient gaps, help model healthy eating patterns, and help to nourish American school children - supporting their growth, development, and overall good health. Ultimately, with this strong foundation, American school children and adolescents will be more enabled to reach their full potential.

School nutrition professionals are faced with everyday challenges to providing affordable and versatile healthy dietary choices that the children and adolescents they serve will eat. Beef is a nutrient dense, flavorful and familiar food that can increase nutrient quality of school meals and may encourage the consumption of other healthy foods including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Learn innovative and simple opportunities for including beef on your plant-forward school menu.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After this webinar, participants will be able to:
  • Examine the evolution of a leaner beef supply and the nutritional contribution of beef to healthy dietary patterns within the school age and adolescent populations.
  • Address perceptions surrounding beef production and its nutritional value to providing a foundation for healthy dietary patterns.
  • Discuss culinary opportunities for beef in school food service that can help strengthen the nutritional quality of school meals while also addressing various challenges faced within school food service operations.
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
The Beef Checkoff is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) will receive 1.0 continuing professional education unit (CPEU) for completion of this program/material. CDR Accredited Provider #AN008.
The focus of this activity is rated Level 2 and is available until August 1, 2026 (Activity #: 178042; CPEU category: 175 Lectures/Webinars; Performance indicators [12.1.1, 12.4.2, 2.3.4, 8.1.1, 8.1.5, 9.4.2]). Learners may submit evaluations of program/materials quality to the CDR at www.cdrnet.org.
SNA CEU Categories:
  • Nutrition-1000: General nutrition (1300)
  • Operations-2000: Food Production (2100), Purchasing/Procurement (2400), Food Safety and HACCP (2600)