Geissler’s Shopper Wins Northeast Lean Beef Sweepstakes

Edwina Stefanowich of West Springfield, Mass., a shopper at Geissler’s Supermarkets, has won a free gym membership worth $500 to a fitness center of her choice as part of the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative’s “Get Lean with Protein” lean-beef sweepstakes, which was funded by the Beef Checkoff Program.

The winning online sweepstakes entry was one of more than 8,700 entries logged on LeanBeefSweepstakes.com in response to a promotion that ran from Jan. 11 through Feb. 28 in over 150 grocery stores throughout the Northeast. Stefanowich entered the sweepstakes after seeing an ad in a Geissler’s circular. By registering online, she was also able to learn about the 29 cuts of beef that qualify as “lean beef” according to USDA standards.

“At Geissler’s, we find that our customers are seeking healthier food options throughout the store and it is a priority to provide nutritional information to our customers whenever we can,” said Ryan Nilsson, the grocer’s meat department supervisor. “In pursuit of this goal, we have recently added nutrition facts on our fresh meat labels — a customer service that few other supermarkets in the area provide. We find that our nutritional labeling, coupled with our helpful staff, enables our customers to make informed decisions about how beef and other protein options can fit into a healthy lifestyle.”

East Windsor, Conn.-based Geissler’s operates a total of seven stores. The six Connecticut locations are in Bloomfield, East Windsor, Granby, Somers, South Windsor and Windsor. The company also operates a store in Agawam, Mass.

The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

“We hope to continue this momentum as we prepare to launch into the summer grilling season,” said Christie Molinaro,” who manages the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative for the checkoff. “A similar promotion will be offered with a grand prize of a $500 shopping spree and a Weber Grill. Runner-Up prizes will include professional grilling sets and copies of ‘The Healthy Beef Cookbook.’”