Van-Far District Votes To Participate In ‘MoBeef for MoKids’ Program

Fewer and fewer beef meals are being served in schools across America, which means children are missing out on the protein power and nutritional benefits of beef.

The Van-Far School Board voted Thursday, Oct. 18 to participate in the Mo Beef for MoKids Program for the 2018-19 school year.

With nearly 50 percent of the recommend daily value for protein, and more than 10 percent of 10 essential nutrients in a three-ounce serving, beef is a nutritional powerhouse.

The program will kick off in November at Van-Far with Tony Dameron providing the first of four cows the district has requested for the school year. There are only six other school districts participating in MOBeef for MOKids

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is spear heading an initiative to get more beef in schools across the state, with the support of local beef producers, meat processors, Opaa Food Management, and the Missouri Beef Industry Council.

The MoBeef for MoKids program connects local schools with area producers and processors that donate the beef product to be used in the school lunch program. The Mount Vernon School District, located in Lawrence County, was the pilot school for the MoBeef for MoKids program, with more schools and producers interested in getting involved.

WHY BEEF?

Beef is an important component of nutrition, providing up to 10 percent of an individual’s daily needs of essential nutrients, said Mark Russell, executive director of the Missouri Beef Industry Council.

According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association:

• A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides 25 grams, or about half of one’s daily value, of protein.

• All lean beef cuts have less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3.5-ounce cooked serving.

• A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides the same amount of protein as 3 cups of quinoa, 6 tablespoons of peanut butter or nearly 2 cups of black beans.

• A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides at least 10 percent of an individual’s daily requirement of vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, choline, iron and riboflavin.

The increase in Missouri-raised beef helps meet the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s goal to have more Missouri grown food on the menu at schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and other such institutions across the state. MO Beef for MO Kids is perhaps the first of those initiatives to also include an education component about how food is grown and produced locally.

For more information about MoBeef for MoKids, visit missourigrownusa.com.