Did you know June 12 was Beef Jerky Day? Here’s how the beef checkoff helped to promote this protein-packed snack.

Amanda Radke

June 14, 2017

3 Min Read
Beef Checkoff celebrates Beef Jerky Day
The Manly Man Company

Editor's Note: A previous version of this blog post linked to the incorrect beef jerky company. The Manly Man Company worked with the beef checkoff in the June National Beef Jerky Day celebrations, and this blog post has been updated to reflect the correct links and images. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Our bags are packed. The truck is loaded. We’ve lined up chore help. Our family of four is headed west to attend the 2017 Livestock Marketing Association Annual Convention in Billings, Mont., where I’m slated to speak on Thursday.

Of course, the mini-family vacation requires plenty of cold drinks and snacks in the cooler, and my go-to for long road trips is always beef jerky.

Coincidentally, Monday was National Beef Jerky Day. Who knew that was even a thing?

Well, the beef checkoff did, and together with state beef councils, they celebrated the national holiday with plenty of beef promotions and giveaways.

To kick off Beef Jerky Day on June 12, staff members of the participating state beef councils delivered beef jerky bouquets to news personalities at television outlets.

READ: Beef jerky sales soar

According to a press release about the promotion, “The bouquets, in custom ‘Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner’ vases, were delivered to 115 television stations in the top 30 U.S. markets and others. They were accompanied by beef information that included tips on how beef jerky is the ‘ultimate snack hack’ for consumers.”

Jerry Effertz, a beef producer from Velva, N.D. and chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils, said the project allows the industry to promote beef jerky as a powerhouse protein snack.

Effertz said, “Beef jerky is a popular low fat and high-quality protein that has many benefits. We think these bouquets provided broadcasters with something fun and interesting to talk about on air.”

READ: 3 ways the beef industry could better market beef jerky

Rachel Chou, senior manager of consumer communications for the Texas Beef Council, added, “With the constant demand for content, and the increased noise in the media, it’s always helpful and refreshing to have innovative, creative pitches that increase the visibility for beef. Promoting a fun, thoughtful snacking idea is right in line with our Beef Loving Texans brand strategy to connect with Texans about something they already love. It also provides another point of contact with TV stations across the state.”

So what are the five best reasons to include beef jerky in your snack pack? The promotion highlighted the benefits, which include:

  • It helps fuel kids through the final bell, keeping them attentive and ready to learn;

  • It helps you avoid the workday slump, as a healthier salty snack option;

  • It gives unexpected post-workout benefits as “nature’s protein bar”;

  • It’s a fun way to help kids celebrate a win or rebound from a loss, stamping out “hangry”; and

  • It lets you stay lively on the hiking trail.

Beef jerky may not be the first snack option consumers think about when they’re planning a road trip or summer vacation, but it certainly has the most staying power. What a fantastic promotion to kick off summer and to highlight a protein-packed treat for busy families on the go.

By the way, if you would like to send a beef jerky bouquet of your own to someone special (Father's Day is next Tuesday after all), check out The Manly Man Company. Beef jerky bouquets come in roses and daisies and can be delivered anywhere in the U.S.

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Penton Agriculture.

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