(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – April is National Soy Foods Month, and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) is celebrating the benefits of soy foods by hosting two events to highlight this powerhouse commodity.
From April 8-13, stop by Coffee Zone (130 E High St, Jefferson City, MO) or High Rise Bakery (118 E High St, Jefferson City, MO) to receive a free 12-ounce soy latte. Missouri Soybeans will also be hosting a giveaway for coffee gift cards and Missouri Soybeans gift bags.
On April 12, Missouri Soybeans also invites consumers to celebrate at the Center for Soy Innovation (734 S. Country Club Dr., Jefferson City, MO, 65109) for a Soy Foods Month Food Truck event. Food trucks will feature soy-inclusive special menu items for this event.
“National Soy Foods Month is a monthlong educational campaign to tout the versatility of our state’s beans, and we hope consumers join us in our efforts to highlight the many soy products,” said Aaron Porter, MSMC chairman. “Bringing together the community for this event allows us to continue shedding light on the many benefits of U.S. Soy and highlights Missouri soybean farmers’ commitment to providing high-quality, sustainable protein for people to enjoy.”
The United States is one of the leading countries in soybean production. In Missouri alone, 5.7 million acres of soybeans are grown each year, and farmers work to meet the global demand for this important crop in a sustainable way. Through soil and water conservation, crop rotation, and carbon net neutrality goals, U.S. and Missouri soybean farmers provide nutritional, versatile, and sustainable food to people across the globe.
Soy Foods Month is an opportunity to celebrate soy’s important place at the table – from its powerful plant-based nutrition and ability to improve skin health to its sustainable production and cooking versatility. Soy is a complete, high-quality protein that provides all nine essential amino acids in amounts needed by the body.
It’s the only plant protein that carries the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) heart health claim, confirming it may be able to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Soy foods are also a source of folate, potassium, fiber, iron, and zinc. They range from traditional soy-based foods like tofu, edamame and miso to well-known products, including soy milk, soy nutrition bars and soy-based meat alternatives to soybean oil, used as an ingredient and in food preparation.
“U.S. soybean growers are committed to supplying safe ingredients that provide a dependable supply of food for global communities that consumers can trust,” said Porter.
In addition to the free soy lattes and other giveaways, MSMC will host two events:
- Jefferson City Soy Foods Month Proclamation: On Monday, April 8, Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater will issue a proclamation declaring it Soy Foods Month in Jefferson City. The event will begin at 8 a.m. at Coffee Zone (130 E High St, Jefferson City, MO).
- Missouri Soy Foods Month Proclamation: Missouri Governor Mike Parson will issue a proclamation declaring April 2024 as Soy Foods Month in Missouri on Friday, April 12.
This event was supported by the United Soybean Board.
United Soybean Board’s 77 volunteer farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers create value by investing in research, education, and promotion with the vision of delivering sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day, across the three priority areas of Infrastructure & Connectivity, Health & Nutrition, and Innovation & Technology.
As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org.