VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Farmers say they’ve got a ‘beef’ with New York’s Best Burger Competition
Jessica Klein: This year’s New York Best Burger competition sizzled its way into Syracuse, where 11 finalists fired up their best creations. But while the competition is bringing heat to the kitchen, it also is stirring up some tension beyond the grill.
Chrissy Claudio: Beef is beef. You know, whether it comes from my backyard, whether it comes from a feed lot in Iowa, you know, the only difference is omega-3s.
Klein: Of the 11 finalists in the running, only about 60% use beef sourced from local Central New York farmers, something many producers say feels like a slap in the face. The mission of the NY Beef Council is to connect consumers to the beef and beef producers. For many farmers in Central New York, they don’t think that’s the case.
Katie Albanese: At the end of the day, it’s how they can get it the cheapest, and it doesn’t matter about quality or honesty within the company or farmer.
Klein: To farmers, local beef means more than just taste. It represents years of hard work and economic survival. While the spotlight shines on New York’s best burgers, local farmers are still waiting for their share of the table. For them, it’s not just about the beef. It’s about being part of the story.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Burgers are sizzling and grills are heating up as the New York Best Burger competition rolls into Syracuse this week. Eleven finalists from across the state are going head-to-head for the title, serving up their most creative and flavorful takes on a classic favorite. But while the event has drawn foodies and fans, it is also sparking frustration among some local farmers in Central New York.
According to the New York Beef Council, which organizes the annual competition, the goal is to celebrate beef across the state and connect consumers with the people who produce it. Still, only about 60% of this year’s finalists are using locally sourced beef from Central New York farms. For farmers in the region, that number feels like a missed opportunity to highlight the work of producers who raise cattle right here at home.
“At the end of the day, it’s how they can get it the cheapest,” Katie Albanese, daughter of the owner of Albanese Farms, said. “And it doesn’t matter about quality or honesty within the company or farmer.”
There are more than 12,000 beef cattle farms in New York state, many of them small and family run. These producers contribute to local economies and food systems by supplying fresh beef to restaurants, markets and grocery stores throughout the region. For them, the Best Burger competition represents more than a contest. It is a chance to be seen and included in a growing food conversation that they feel often leaves them out.
“Beef is beef,” Chrissy Claudio, director of producer communications and consumer engagement at the New York Beef Council, said. “You know, whether it comes from my backyard, whether it comes from a feed lot in Iowa, you know, the only difference is Omega-3s.”
That message has left some farmers feeling dismissed. Many believe events like this should highlight locally raised beef, especially when held in places like Syracuse that sit in the heart of New York’s agricultural community. Farmers say local beef represents more than just flavor. It represents jobs, land stewardship and generations of work.
Buying local also offers benefits beyond the farm. Studies show that local sourcing reduces environmental impact, strengthens rural economies and supports small businesses. Many consumers increasingly say they want to know where their food comes from and how it is produced.
This year’s finalists include restaurants from across the state. This year’s winner has not yet been announced, but for some Central New York farmers, the real prize would be having their beef on the plate and their role in the spotlight.
To learn more about the competition and its finalists, visit the New York Beef Council’s website at nybeef.org.