Beef Shines at NY School Nutrition Event
“We’re proud to support the professionals who nourish our students daily and to help bring more high-quality protein to their menus.”
Saratoga Springs, NY (June 2025) - The New York Beef Council (NYBC) proudly participated in the New York School Nutrition Innovation Conference, an engaging and forward-thinking event that brings together school nutrition professionals, thought leaders, and industry experts to explore the future of school meals.
As part of its ongoing mission to promote nutritious, delicious beef options in school cafeterias, NYBC partnered with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and School Nutrition Expert, Julie Raway, MPH, RDN, CDN, SNS, FAND, to present a live cooking demonstration of a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich—a perfect, student-friendly addition to school lunch menus that showcased beef’s versatility and ability to serve as a vehicle for increasing intake of vegetables and grains.
Julie guided attendees through preparing the flavorful and balanced sandwich while leading an insightful conversation about incorporating beef into school meals to meet nutritional standards and student taste preferences. Throughout the demonstration, she fielded questions and offered practical tips to help food service professionals bring the recipe to life in their own school kitchens.
The session drew strong engagement from all 70 attendees, who were enthusiastic about the recipe and its potential in school lunch programs. After the workshop, participants could taste the results firsthand, enjoying their Philly Cheesesteak sandwich during the conference lunch.
“This event was a wonderful opportunity to showcase how beef can be a flavorful, flexible, and nutritious option for school meals,” said Ashley Scoones, Executive Director of the New York Beef Council. “We’re proud to support the professionals who nourish our students daily and to help bring more high-quality protein to their menus.”
This opportunity, made possible through a partnership with the Nebraska and Kansas Beef Councils, reflects NYBC’s commitment to working with school nutrition professionals and partners like Julie Raway to improve school meal quality across New York.
About the New York Beef Council:
The New York Beef Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information, and foreign market development, all to strengthen beef demand. For more information, visit www.nybeef.org.