Beef Checkoff Seeks Entries For Beef Backer Awards

The Beef Checkoff Program is seeking entries for its annual National Retail Beef Backer national awards program that honors retailers that go above and beyond to market and merchandise beef to their customers.

Now through Oct. 1, 2012, retailers can enter to win in one of four categories:

• Independent Retailer (fewer than 11 retail stores)
• Mid-Size Chain Retailer (11-99 retail stores)
• Large Chain Retailer (100 or more retail stores)
• Innovator of the Year (The winner of this category can be a chain or independent retailer)

“The annual Beef Backer awards enable us to honor retailers’ creativity and passion for beef and the role they play in offering satisfying beef-eating experiences to families across the country,” said Brett Morris, an Oklahoma-based producer and chairman of the checkoff’s Joint Retail Committee. “With these awards, we give the retailers well-deserved recognition while also showing our gratitude for their support in building beef demand.”

An independent judging committee of retail industry professionals will select winners based on submission criteria and the winners will be honored at the 2013 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Tampa, Fla. In addition to industry recognition, winners receive publicity in national, local and foodservice media and customized promotional support to market the award to their shoppers.

The 2012 National Retail Beef Backer winners included Safeway as the Innovator of the Year, Broulim’s Fresh Foods in the Independent category, Haggen Food & Pharmacy in the Mid-size Retailer category and Harris Teeter as the Large Chain Retailer winner.

The 2012 entry form and contest details can be found at BeefRetail.org.