Northeast Lean Beef Sweepstakes Winner Revealed

The Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI), funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, has named Kim Karanian of Amston, Conn., the winner of its “Lean Beef for a Lean You” sweepstakes. Karanian receives a $250 spa gift card and a $250 grocery shopping spree at Geissler’s Supermarkets.

Her online sweepstakes entry was one of more than 10,900 entries submitted to LeanBeefSweepstakes.com, a heartening increase of 46 percent over the entries received for the 2010 New Year’s promotion. Lean Beef for a Lean You ran from Jan. 10 through Feb. 28 in 117 grocery stores throughout the Northeast, as well as five locations in Kentucky. Karanian, the second consecutive Geissler’s customer to win the sweepstakes, said she was inspired to enter it through an online search of the grocer’s website.

“I cook beef all the time, about three to four times each week,” she noted, adding that her favorite recipe is Garlic Prime Rib, although she also enjoys preparing time-honored meatloaf and meatball recipes. Registering online, Karanian learned about the more than 29 distinct cuts of beef that qualify as “lean” according to USDA standards.

Ryan Nilsson, Geissler’s meat department supervisor, attributed the second win in a row for one of the grocer’s shoppers to the fact that its “customers are embracing healthy eating habits. The timing of this promotion is great, as many people start their New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier and this promotion brings attention to some of the leaner cuts of beef. Shoppers are utilizing online tools to enhance their shopping experience, become educated on their food choices and to become engaged with our store and our products.”

South Windsor, Conn.-based Geissler’s operates seven stores, six in Connecticut and one in Massachusetts.

“We hope to continue this momentum as we prepare to launch into the summer grilling season, when a similar promotion will be offered, with a grand prize of a $500 shopping spree and a professional BBQ tool set,” noted Christie Brown, director of retail and foodservice for the NEBPI.

Among the prizes for runners-up are engraved 10-piece kitchen knife sets and copies of The Healthy Beef Cookbook.

The Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Centennial, Colo.-based National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. For more information on the program, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.