CHATHAM—The New York Beef Council (NYBC) invited New Yorkers to celebrate May as Beef Month in New York State at a press conference hosted in Albany on May 15. At the press conference, state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball gave remarks celebrating New York’s beef producers, and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner presented the New York Beef Council with a resolution officially declaring May as Beef Month, reinforcing the significance of the beef industry to the state’s agricultural landscape. Cattle and calves are the fourth largest agricultural commodity in the state, accounting for nearly $360 million in cash receipts annually.
During the press conference, NYBC presented the community-driven initiatives underway to promote and celebrate beef in New York. Among these initiatives are the Best New York Burger Competition and the NY Beef Passport, which aim to highlight the culinary excellence and diversity of beef dishes across the state and invite everyone to participate in this celebration.
The free New York Beef Passport offers consumers a unique opportunity to embark on a culinary adventure, exploring top beef dishes at participating restaurants. Participants earn prizes and exclusive offers and contribute to our state’s vibrant beef industry, making this a truly exciting and rewarding experience.
The Best New York Burger Competition invited restaurants statewide to showcase their most innovative and delicious beef burgers, highlighting the creativity and skill of chefs. The competition served as a platform to recognize and celebrate the diverse range of flavors and styles in beef burger creations. This year, Chatham Brewing’s burger, The Loaded Brewery Burger, emerged as the clear favorite among judges and consumers and was crowned the Best NY Burger. For more information about Chatham Brewing, 59 Main Street, go www.chathambrewing.com
“Each May, Beef Month is an annual opportunity to celebrate the hard work of New York’s beef producers, who are raising quality food for our schools, communities, and families and are a critical part of our agricultural industry here in New York State. I encourage New Yorkers to get their own New York Beef Passports to connect with beef producers in every corner of our state while supporting local small businesses and trying delicious new dishes,” Commissioner Ball said in a press release.
According to the 2022 agricultural census, New York has nearly 13,000 farms dedicated to cattle, with over 1.5 million cattle and calves statewide, including approximately 120,000 beef cows.
Sign up for the New York Beef Passport at https://www.nybeef.org/beef-passport. Visit www.nybeef.org to learn more about the New York Beef Council and Beef Checkoff-funded activities.
