It’s easy to think that in the land of the plenty, everyone has consistent access to high-quality, nourishing foods, like beef. However, according to the USDA, in 2009, more than 50 million Americans were food insecure and did not have consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle.

Today, in conjunction with the largest gathering of the nation’s cattlemen and women for their annual meeting in Denver, Greeley-based JBS USA – the world’s largest animal protein processor – and cattle farmers and ranchers from around the country made the largest-ever donation and delivery of 16,000 pounds of beef to Colorado’s Feeding America Food Banks, drawing attention to the very serious issue of food insecurity right here in our own communities.

High-quality and nutritionally efficient foods, such as beef, are important to help meet daily nutritional requirements. One, three-ounce serving of lean beef provides 10 essential nutrients, including protein and B vitamins. Iron and zinc deficiencies are common worldwide and beef is a good source of iron and an excellent source of zinc.

By continuing to innovate and advance what they do, the entire beef industry is able to work together to provide nutritious food to feed a growing population around the world.