LANSING, MI — This year, Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) and Michigan Beef Industry Commission (MIBeef) collaborated to create the first official recipe for the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run.
Fresh Coast Beef Kabobs celebrate healthy eating and the tradition of grilling over the holiday weekend. The recipe features marinated beef sirloin tips skewered with seasonal fresh grown Michigan vegetables. Summer seasonal vegetables include red skin potatoes, onions, zucchini, summer squash, and bell peppers. The name of the recipe gives a nod to Michigan’s freshwater coastline, the longest in the nation at 3,288 linear miles.
“We are pleased to collaborate with the Michigan Beef Industry Commission and provide Michiganders with a great recipe that is fun to make on the grill over Labor Day weekend,” said MFF President and CEO Amy Ghannam.
Agriculture is one of the top three industries in Michigan. The cattle industry plays a major role in providing consumers with both beef and dairy products.
“Our recipe collaboration is exciting because it puts a spotlight on the taste, nutrition, and versatility of beef raised by cattle farms and ranches and pairs it with seasonal, fresh produce grown by Michigan farmers,” said MIBeef Executive Director George Quackenbush. “Together, our organizations can inspire healthy food choices for Michiganders.”
“The Fresh Coast Beef Kabobs recipe is easily adaptable too. People can mix and match the veggies to their liking, which is important for flexitarian families,” said MFF Vice President of Programs Marci Scott, Ph.D. RDN.
According to the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations, nutritional needs should be met primarily from nutrient-dense foods and beverages because they provide vitamins, minerals, and other health promoting components needed for a healthy dietary pattern.
“Beef is an excellent source of protein that can help meet nutritional goals,” said MIBeef Registered Dietitian Katie Serbinski, M.S., RDN. “Beef supplies 10 essential nutrients including B-vitamins, zinc, and iron that support an active and healthy lifestyle.”
To complete the meal, MFF recommends Grilled Michigan Peaches for dessert. The recipe takes advantage fresh peaches in season across the state, while the high heat of the grill caramelizes the sugars of the peaches to create a sweet, tender, and flavorful dessert.
As a signature event to promote health and physical activity, the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run was founded by Governor Jennifer Granholm in 2004 to highlight physical fitness statewide. Today, the tradition continues as the sun rises prior to the Annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. The Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run is considered a bucket list run for people committed to health and wellness. Participants travel from across Michigan, the nation, and international destinations to traverse 4.3 miles across Michigan’s largest architectural masterpiece in this noncompetitive event.
To learn more, visit https://michiganfitness.org/events/labor-day-bridge-run.
