Agricultural News
Midwest Dairy Council awards school for healthy eating and implementing physical activity
Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:19:48 CDT
Midwest Dairy Council awarded $122,945 to 71 schools in 10 Midwest states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and eastern Oklahoma, to support their Fuel Up to Play 60 initiatives. Funding for this competitive program is provided by the Midwest Dairy Council, on behalf of Midwest dairy farmers.
Schools across the country applied for this third round of funding to help them jumpstart and sustain nutrition and physical activity improvements. To be eligible, they had to assign a program manager, complete a school wellness investigation, form a student team and identify a healthy eating and a physical activity play. Awarded funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 provides support for a variety of activities and tools, such as foodservice materials and equipment, nutrition and physical education materials, student and staff incentives, staff development and overall Fuel Up to Play 60 implementation in an effort to champion school wellness.
More than 70,000 schools across the United States are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. Launched by National Dairy Council, local dairy councils and the National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Multiple health organizations and several major corporations are also supporting Fuel Up to Play 60, now in its second year.
"We're excited to see Fuel Up to Play 60 empowering students to take control of their own health, and make their school environment healthier by eating right and getting daily physical activity," said Melissa Young, health and wellness director with Midwest Dairy Council. "More than 9,400 Midwest schools have embraced the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, and these funds will help many of the participating schools engage in student wellness initiatives."
By giving students both a voice and a valuable role in shaping the future of their generation, National Dairy Council in collaboration with local dairy councils, the NFL and USDA are providing concrete opportunities for children to lead real change in the fight against childhood obesity.
Fuel Up to Play 60 taps the power of the NFL and its teams, players and physical activity programming to add recognition and value for students. National Dairy Council's trusted school relationships are crucial in sustaining the program. All 32 NFL teams are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60 through local dairy councils and schools in their respective markets.
Fuel Up to Play 60 empowers students to engage their peers to "fuel up" with nutrient-rich foods they often lack particularly low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and "get up and play" with 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The program can complement and enhance existing wellness initiatives or efforts with additional resources, tools, rewards and incentives for students, adult program advisors and the school.
There are several application windows each school year, including the upcoming deadline of June 15, 2011. Click here for more information on Fuel Up to Play 60
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