Colorado now has a statewide meat-free holiday, thanks to Governor Jared Polis

https://newslinez.com/2021/02/24/colorado-now-has-a-statewide-meat-free-holiday-thanks-to-governor-jared-polis/

• To promote meatless diets, Colorado’s Governor, Jared Polis, has declared March 20 “MeatOut Day.”
  • Animal-rights group Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) started the MeatOut initiative in 1985.
    • It was created to inform consumers about the benefits of a plant-based diet.
  • By signing this proclamation in support of MeatOut, Polis joins 40 other states and cities that have governors and mayors who have signed similar proclamations in recent years.
  • The proclamation lists the health benefits of a plant-based diet and also the impact it would have on the environment.
    • Since the proclamation was launched in 1985, more than 35 million Americans have given plant-based diets a try.
  • Governor Polis made history when he became the first openly gay governor in the United States.
    • Since he has been in office, Polis has urged the Department of Agriculture to transition to crops that would support the growing plant-based meat industry.
      • Polis believes that meatless meat will become a leading industry in the future, much like marijuana, hemp and blockchain technology.

Cargill launches Black farmer equity initiative

https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/97575

• Black farmers, who make up less than 2 percent of America’s 3.4 million farmers, continue to deal with systemic injustices regarding property rights, financing and other exclusionary practices, according to Cargill.
  • To combat this issue, Cargill has announced a partnership with the National Black Growers Council and 100 Ranchers to create the Black Farmer Equity Initiative, an initiative that will work to do away with racial inequity in agriculture.
    • The company plans to partner with all sectors of the agriculture industry — ranchers, farmers, restaurants and grocery stores.
  • According to Cargill, the initiative will work with customers, non-profits and others to help increase the participation and profitability of Black farmers.
  • Cargill, along with it’s partners will begin by assembling listening sessions with Black Farmers to map out barriers and prioritize ways to improve market access and financial inclusion.
    • Additionally, the focus will be on sustainable agricultural practices, how to support next-generation agriculture leaders and what needs to be done to advocate for policies that advance equity in agriculture.
  • According to PJ Haynie III, Cargill’s engagement will help create long-term solutions to increase market opportunities and earnings potential for their growers.
  • Globally, Cargill has contributed more than $15 million in the last year to programs that strengthen and support marginalized or underrepresented communities.

Beyond Meat forges global strategic pacts with McDonald’s and Yum Brands

https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/97583

• Last week, Beyond Meat announced its newly formed partnerships with McDonald’s and Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut.
• Beyond Meat and McDonald’s set up a three-year global agreement that greatly benefits Beyond Meat as they will be the preferred supplier for the patty in the McPlant plant-based burger being tested in select markets.
  • Additionally, the companies will work together to develop plant-based alternatives for chicken, pork and egg.
• Beyond’s partnership with Yum Brands is centered on creating plant-based protein menu items over the next several years for Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut.

Boxed beef prices

www.nationalbeefwire.com

• Choice boxed beef: $240.53 (+0.14)
• Select boxed beef: $229.73 (+0.94)