Kansans urged to dish on best place for beef

The Kansas Beef Council is accepting entries for the 2005 Kansas Beef Backer Award program. All can nominate their favorite beef restaurant. Awards will be given for Best Beef Appetizer, Best Beef Menu Item — Ground Beef, Best Beef Menu Item — Nonground Beef, and Best New Beef Cut Innovator.

The person who turned in the first nomination for for each winning restaurant will be given a gift certificate for two to the winning restaurant nominated.

Restaurants are judged on how they incorporate beef into current menu trends as well as effective marketing and promotion of beef.

Westside Deli and Market, Lawrence, won in 2002 for its classic deli reuben, pictured above.

Nominations will be accepted through March 31. To make a nomination, contact the Kansas Beef Council by phone at (785) 273-5225 or click online at www.kansasbeef.org.

Workplace

Employees seeking better ‘health’ care

Companies might be agonizing over health care costs these days, but one oft-overlooked area could put a dent in future medical costs: health screening.

Workers apparently love the idea, according to a survey of 1,700 employees by The Principal Financial Group Inc., the large investment and insurance outfit based in Des Moines, Iowa.

More than three-quarters, 78 percent, said they would participate in such screenings if their employer offered them. Even more, 84 percent, said they had been screened previously, when offered.

Of that group, 47 percent said they had eaten healthier since the screening, while 45 percent said they were exercising more and 42 percent said they considered healthier options more often.

“For many years, health care has really been ‘sick care,’ with employers providing insurance to help employees get back to work from an illness or injury,” said Jerry Ripperger, director of consumer health for the Principal Financial Group. “Fortunately, there’s an emerging trend where smart companies are investing to keep their employees healthy. It’s not just the right thing to do from an altruistic stand point. It’s a good business decision.”

Motley Fool

Name that company

Suiza Foods bought me in 2001 and kept my name. I’m based in Texas, not East of Eden. I trace my history back to an Illinois evaporated milk-processing facility in 1925. Today I’m the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products, and I’m the nation’s leading manufacturer of soymilk, organic milk and other organic foods. My brands include Tuscan, Silk, Marie’s, Horizon Organic, Borden, PET, Land O Lakes and Mountain High. My specialty foods group is America’s largest pickle and pepper supplier. I employ more than 29,000 people. Who am I?