Axtell welcomes 'Beef in Schools' program along with more nutritional benefits

AXTELL, Neb. — More beef is coming to schools like Axtell Community Schools, who just started their beef program.

Axtell Community Schools representatives said it cost under $2 per person to feed students and faculty a healthier and more nutritional meal.

Students were smiling as they entered the cafeteria for lunch.

"I think everyone was pretty excited for it," said Axtell High School junior Claire Nelson.

"It's more filling I would say and it's nice knowing what's in it," said Axtell High School junior Camille Fishell.

Aside from the taste, the beef also has nutritional benefits.

"Great nutritional value in beef. A lot of nutrients that are very important to youth especially within this growth curve that we see in adolescents. Zinc, iron, protein and B vitamins all help fuel those healthy and active lifestyles as well," said Director of Nutrition and Education with the Nebraska Beef Council Mitch Rippe.

Axtell is now one of the 50 schools across the state adopting the program.

"This is a great opportunity to really leverage all of the local resources we have across the state. The people, our producers as well as beef," said Rippe.

"The producers not only see that their beef is being used locally but these consumers of our students right now will one be buying their own groceries for their homes. That gets them used to eating quality beef, purchasing quality beef which turns around and helps out our producers in the area," said future Agricultural program teacher for Axtell Community Schools Rebecca Cornelius.

With the help from community members, schools are able to make this possible and safely especially when it comes from an animal donation.

"It will be taken to a USDA approved locker. There are several in the area. Then it's inspected and processed there, and then we will get the meat back," said President of the Axtell Community Schools school board Jon Abrahamson.

"There is a lot of excitement within local communities about this program. It only takes that one spark to continue to grow. Really I do see this program continuing to grow across the state of Nebraska and I do see Nebraska being a really champion across the entire U.S.," said Rippe.

School officials said they'll be looking for monetary and animal donations to help continue the program within the school.