As fall harvest continues, we are excited to bring you another edition of the Nicholas Meat Quarterly. In this edition, we examine how beef can help fuel your busy fall days and also learn about how one 4-H member gave back to his community this year.

Fall always brings cooler temperatures and, for many families, busy school schedules and harvest season. With so much happening, we need meals that are satisfying, nutritious and easy to prepare.

Beef can help fuel busy fall days. In addition to being a high-quality source of protein, beef provides important nutrients including iron, zinc and vitamin B12, making it a nutrient-dense choice for busy fall days.

A 3-ounce serving of cooked beef can provide a substantial amount of high-quality protein, along with important vitamins and minerals. The exact nutrient content varies by cut and preparation, so choosing lean cuts and checking the nutrition information for the specific dish can help you make informed choices.

But why are these nutrients important – especially for growing children and teenagers?

• Protein helps build and maintain muscle and supports many other functions throughout the body.
• Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
• Zinc supports immune function and is also important for growth and development.
• Vitamin B12 helps keep blood and nerve cells healthy.

Read the newsletter for more ideas on how to make easy beef meals.