AMC brings Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) to the stage to discuss science-informed insights relevant to today’s protein marketplace.
By: Rick Stein, Vice President, Fresh Foods, FMI
Protein sits at the center of some of the most active conversations in food retail today. Shoppers are paying closer attention to what they eat, how it supports their health across various life stages and how those choices align with broader wellness goals. At the same time, the release of updated national dietary guidance has elevated protein discussions across media, healthcare and the grocery aisle. For retailers responsible for protein sales decisions, staying current is no longer optional. It is part of doing the job well.
One reason the Annual Meat Conference (AMC) continues to stand out is its ability to create space for thoughtful, science-informed dialogue without reducing complex topics to headlines or talking points. AMC brings together retailers, suppliers and subject-matter experts who understand how nutrition conversations translate directly to assortment decisions, merchandising strategies and shopper trust.
Protein Prescription: What Science Really Says about Meat and Health
A strong example for 2026 is the Protein Prescription: What Science Really Says about Meat and Health session, scheduled for Monday, March 2, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, just ahead of the Welcome Reception. In place of policy-driven narratives or technical language, this session prioritizes clear, science-informed insights relevant to today’s protein marketplace. The discussion focuses on what the current body of research suggests about protein quality, bioavailability and the role meat plays across the lifespan. For anyone leading protein strategy at retail, listening to these conversations at the start of the conference helps frame the days that follow.
The value of the AMC session is also grounded in who is on stage. Stacy Bates, MS, RDN, LD, CDE brings a retailer’s lens shaped by years of experience connecting nutrition science with real-world shopping behavior. In her role guiding wellness strategy at H-E-B, she understands how shoppers interpret health information at the shelf and how dietitians can influence healthier choices without creating confusion. Alongside her, Shalene McNeill, PhD, RDN offers deep scientific expertise in animal protein and sustainable food systems, informed by decades of research leadership and industry collaboration.
Since 2005, Dr. McNeill has served as Executive Director of Nutrition Research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. She champions science-based transparency and supports healthy, sustainable diet initiatives across the industry.
Sessions like this are not designed to deliver a single answer. They are meant to equip retailers with context, confidence and language to engage shoppers who are asking more informed questions about protein than ever before. Positioned immediately before the Welcome Reception, the conversation also sets up informal dialogue that can continue on the show floor and throughout the conference.
Paired with insights from the 2026 Power of Meat, AMC becomes an even stronger investment. Data, dialogue and practical application come together in one place. For leaders shaping protein sales strategies, that combination is difficult to replicate elsewhere. AMC remains a place to listen carefully, learn thoughtfully and leave better prepared for the conversations happening every day in stores.
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