IRVINE, Calif. – As California avocado season continues into late summer and early fall, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) is promoting one regional and one national beef-themed program designed to encourage consumption of California avocados on a variety of burgers and fresh dishes with lean beef.
In the West, CAC is partnering with the California Beef Council to promote California avocados and lean beef burgers from August through early fall. The program, which encourages cross-department shopping and additional produce purchases along with California avocados and beef, is perfect for retailer grilling promotions. California Avocado Burger Bonanza recipe booklets feature recipes ranging from sliders to traditional burgers to lettuce-wrapped burgers, and are available for retailers to order now at CaliforniaAvocado.com/retailers-pos-order-form/.
“Barbecues and grilling events are perfect opportunities to enjoy California avocados. It makes sense to promote California avocados with beef burgers at this time because more than a third of avocado users nationwide report eating them on burgers. In the West this jumps to 45 percent or more,” said Jan DeLyser, CAC vice president of marketing.
The Commission is supporting the promotion with a burger-themed page on CaliforniaAvocado.com, which includes additional recipes. Both the booklet and the website show consumers that delicious California avocado in place of other toppings may help reduce dietary intake of calories, fat, sodium and cholesterol while adding beneficial nutrients. CAC and the California Beef Council will use social media to expand the program reach.
CAC also is a sponsor of The Beef Checkoff funded 2013 National Beef Cook-Off, which is a biannual recipe contest. This year one of the contest’s four categories is Craveable Fresh Beef and Fresh California Avocado Recipes. Regional finalist recipes include several with California avocados, including Cali-Avocado Steak Salad and Lemon Grass Beef with Avocado. Harold Cohen from Hollywood, Fla., who created the recipe Tuscan Burgers & Avocado-Tomato Spread, was one of seven regional winners that were announced July 15 on beefcookoff.org.
One grand prize winner from the 14 remaining finalists will be announced at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington, DC on November 2, 2013.
“The Beef Cook-Off is one of the most popular recipe contests in the nation,” said DeLyser. “Our sponsorship provides CAC with an opportunity to showcase California avocado versatility.”
In addition to extensive public relations coverage leading up to and during the Beef Cook-Off, including a mat release distributed nationwide, the Commission and the American National CattleWomen, Inc. (ANCW) will host a New York food editor luncheon in November. CAC also will promote the contest finalist recipes with California avocados on CaliforniaAvocado.com and via social media.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to increase demand for California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities that benefit the state’s nearly 5,000 avocado growers. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry. For nutrition information and recipes visit CaliforniaAvocado.com, or join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados and @CA_Avocados on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for updates.
Source: California Avocado Commission