June 4, 2008

UAlbany Serves Grass-Fed Beef

UAlbany is one of the few universities in the nation to offer grass-fed beef in its dining halls.

What is so special about grass-fed beef? It provides a much healthier and safer alternative to beef purchased from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), the source of most beef. CAFOs feed their cattle corn, which fattens them up quicker than traditional grazing. However, cows cannot digest corn, so they must be given antibiotics to ease digestion. The result is meat that contains a high level of grain and antibiotics.

Grass-fed cattle are allowed to graze on their natural diet; therefore large doses of antibiotics are not necessary. The result is a lower fat meat. (See chart for comparison.) 

Chartwells has contracted to purchase several shipments of the beef from a local livestock cooperative. Each dining hall has information available on the benefits of grass-fed beef and puts out labels whenever the beef is in use. Look for them and try grass-fed beef the next time you have a meal.

Source: Sustainability Bulletin Vol. 1, Issue 2, May 2008

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