Calling All Retail Beef Backers

The Beef Checkoff Program has issued the call for entries for the fourth annual National Retail Beef Backer Awards, a national awards program designed to honor retailers who have executed impressive initiatives to market and merchandise beef.

Now through Oct. 3, 2011 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.)

“Retailers play an instrumental role in selling and marketing beef and with the Beef Backer awards we can show our gratitude for their efforts to bring satisfying meal experiences to families throughout the country,” said Margie Hande, a North Dakota-based cow-calf operator and chairman of the checkoff’s Joint Retail Committee. “We look forward to recognizing those retailers who’ve gone the extra mile with their promotions and successful beef programs.”

An independent judging committee of retail industry professionals will select winners based on submission criteria and awards will be presented at the 2012 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Tradeshow in Nashville, Tenn. In addition to industry recognition, winners receive national promotion via a public relations campaign targeting local and national print and online media and national retail trade outlets.

The 2010 National Retail Beef Backer winners included: Broulim’s Fresh Foods in the “Independent Retailer” category, Sentry Foods in the “Mid-Size Chain Retailer” category, Harris-Teeter as the “Large Chain Retailer” and HAC, Inc., as the “Innovator of the Year.”

The 2011 entry form and contest details can be found at here.