CHICAGO, 111. Media coverage for the beef industry is sizzling these days, as major publications document increased consumer interest in steak chains. The thrust of coverage is a 5 per cent traffic increase at casual, mid-scale steakhouses in 1992 a ume during which sluggish sales were the norm throughout most of the foodservice industry. According to esteemed publica uons such as the Wall Street Jour nal, a current rage for steak is fueled by diners who arc eating more moderate portions of beef at home, but who want to splurge on juicy steaks at restaurants. Furth ermore, steakhouses offer 30- and 40-year old patrons the meat-and potatoes meals they grew up with and a decor that appeals to a grow ing consumer interest in the country-western lifestyle. The Beef Industry Council (BIC) is now planning to build on these figures and trends by fcalur Calcium KINGSTON, N.Y. Good news linking calcium consump uon to hypertension prevention is spreading to consumers through the efforts of American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. (ADADC), Mid East United Dairy Industry Association/F.O. 36 Agency (Mid East UDIA) and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program (PDPP). The promotion agencies extended a national media campaign organized by UDIA to spread the word about a new report reaffirming calcium’s important role in the diet. HARP! Sprayers Take a Look at Our Wide Range of Accessories - Chemical Filler, HARDI-tronic Monitoring System, Clean Water Dispenser, Foam Marker, Rapid Refill... and many more. Mistblowers Wide model range to fit your specific applica tion: fruit trees, vegetable, nursery crops, etc. HARDI - The World Leader in Sprayers To ensure the best quality and accuracy, all components of HARD! sprayers from nozzles to pumps and booms are manufactured in HARDI factories with state of the art production equipment. Annville B.H.M. FARM EQUIPMENT to #l, Box 611. Rt. 934 717-867-2211 Bangor BANGOR IMPLEMENT 6 Flicksville Rd. 215-588-5922 Bloomsburg bloomsburg farm EQUIPMENT 307 Edgar Ave. 717-784-5217 Steak Houses Gain Popularity ing these steak chains in advertise ments placed in prominent food service trade publications. Some new steakhouses have enjoyed significant growth over the past year, including Tampa based Outback Steakhouse, Inc., Atlanta-based Longhorn Steaks and Wichita’s Lonestar Steak house and Saloon, Inc. - all of which went public this year. The Journal reports that each of these venues regularly has a two-hour wait at the door, and each plans to open 20 to 60 new outlets in 1993. This success is inspiring some long-standing steak chains to revamp their marketing strategies and update their decor, according to tht Journal. These include Met romedia Steakhouses, Inc. (responsible for the Ponderosa and Bonanza chains), Steak & Ale and Sizzler. • Such national media coverage has increased consumer aware ness of steak’s role in contempor- Linked To Controlling, Preventing Hypertension The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Report on Detec tion, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, released in late October, points to diet as a controllable factor in the preven tion and treatment of high blood pressure. The report recommends that people get adequate calcium, magnesium and potassium in their diets nutrients found individu ally in many foods, but together in meaningful quantities only in dairy products. “The key message is that if you Trailers “Farmer proven” rugged design combined with the most advanc ed technology. Chambersburg chambersburg FARM SERVICE 975 S. Main St. 717-264-3533 Creseon/Altoona HINES EQUIPMENT Cresson - 814-886-4183 Altoona - 814-742-8171 Easton GEO. V. SEIPLE & SON, INC. RD #2 Van Buren Rd. 215-258-7146 ary dining, according to Larry Olt jen, Kansas beef producer and chairman of the Beef Industry Council (BIC) Foodservice Subcommittee. “These articles fill an impor tant, objective niche in placing steakhouses within current dining trends,” Oltjen says. “New steak houses differ from the past in that they offer a wider range of flavor.. profiles, such as Cajun or Mexican-style steaks. They also offer a variety in portion size, which appeals to a broader range of customers. And, finally, they provide a perceived value that is critical in today’s consumer climate.” Attesting to steak’s popularity from a trade perspective, Nation’s Restaurant News and other food service publications also have also featured the success of steak chains. In addition to the seg ment’s 5 percent traffic increase, a 1992 foodservice market survey are not eating the right foods to meet your RDA of these important minerals, now is the time to start,” said David McCarron, M.D., spokesperson for the media cam paign from Oregon Health Sci ences University in Portland the leading medical center explor ing the link between calcium and hypertension. McCarron helped spread the word that dairy products arc natur ally rich in these essential nutri ents as the main objective of the campaign. News releases sent to consumer media by ADADC, Mid 3 Point Hitch From basic to sophisticated, HARD! has the widest range of 3 point hitch sprayers available Everett MORRIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. P.O. Box 307, Rt. 26N 814-652-6101 Hughesville FARNSWORTH FARM SUPPLY INC. 103 Cemetery St. 717-584-2106 Lynnport KERMITK. KISTLER INC. Rt. 143, 99 King Hwy 215-298-2011 Estate Ideal for use in parks, golf courses or by home owners. Trailers, 3 point hitch and skid mounts. Klmgerstown STANLEY'S FARM SERVICE RD #l, Box 46, Off Rt. 125 717-648-2088 Marti nsburg WINELANO FARM EQUIPMENT RD«2, Box 141-2, Rt. 164 E 814-793-2109 by Consumer Research on Ealing Share Trends (CREST) notes a 5 percent 1991-92 rise in sales for upscale steakhouses versus an average 0.6 percent sales decline for other upscale outlets. “These recent, major articles are helpful in lending a third-party credibility to the growing profita bility of beef,” says Maureen Lambe, BIC director of foodscr vice programs. “Articles about the increasing popularity of steak houses help restaurant operators realize that a lot of people arc making money selling beef.” Beef foodservice programs arc checkoff-funded promotion prog rams managed on behalf of the beef industry by the Beef Industry Council of the National Livestock and Meat Board, The Beef Indus try Council is a federation of 44 state beef councils that work to build demand through programs of promotion, research and information. East UDIA and PDPP quoted McCarron’s recommendations and gave consumers lips on increasing dietary calcium. A recent presentation by McCarron at the American Heart Association annual meeting in November spread the word to health profes sionals, This was followed by satellite media interviews with news stauons around the country, including the Scranton/Wilkes- Barre market. The three promo tion groups helped coordinate the interviews, and arranged local interviews by area dietitians in Hand-Operated Truck Mount Backpacks and compression sprayers will give professional results. See the complete line of HARD! sprayers and accessories at: New Holland ABC GROFF, INC. 110 S. Railroad Ave. 717-354-4191 New Ringgold ECKROTH BROS. FARM EQUIPMENT RD #2, Rf 443, Box 24A 717-943-2131 Somerset SUMMIT MACHINERY, INC. PO Box 325, Rt. 281 N 814-445-2528 Lancaster Farming, Satui c tTaiim ( -Uiom6H Berks Society 4 Berks County Society of Farm Women Group 4 met at the Bech telsville home of Charlotte Mau ger with five members and a guest, Joyce Greenman, present. President Mary Fizz reported all groups were asked to help in a raffle as a fund raiser for the coun ty. An item of canned or packaged food is needed for Ag Days to be given to the Reading area food pantry. By-laws and rules were read and discussed during the social hour. The next meeting will be a Valentine party at the home of Evelyn Becker in Boyerstown on February 2. A $2 gift will be ex changed. Red must be worn or pay a fine. A red food item is to brought by each member for re freshments. Pennsylvania’s major markets In coming months the promo tion groups will extend the hypcrtcnsion/dairy story lurthcr with leature articles and recipes for the news media, and informa tion to health professionals. “Most Americans don’t gel enough calcium, magnesium and potassium,” said Peggy Pctlingcll, nutrition education director for Dairy Council. “They can turn to dairy products for an easy and delicious source of these nutrients. A sprayer that will stand up to the most demanding applications. Towanda NEW JERSEY SPE INC. RD #l, Box 157 Washington 717-265-4440 FRANK RYMON & Tunkhannock SON, INC. BARTRON SUPPLY RD «3. Box 355, Route 92 Rt. 31 South 717-836-4011 908-689-1464 MARYLAND Line boro WERTZ FARM equipment 4132 East Main 410-374-2672 January 23, 1993-811 Shiloh ' ROBERT G. HAMPTON RL 49, PO Box 109 609-451-9520