$3,448 Awarded by New England Dairy & Food Council for Fuel Up to Play 60
Medford High School has been chosen to receive $3,448 to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative, the New England Dairy & Food Council announced recently. Medford High School was selected from among hundreds of schools across the country that applied for funding to help them jumpstart and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements. This nationwide funding program offers schools up to $4,000 to help them increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students. Funding for this competitive program is provided by New England Dairy & Food Council and the dairy farmers of Massachusetts.
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.
Medford High School will use the funds to expand their breakfast program to include smoothies and hot menu items. Funds will also help promote before school fitness classes which will be held two mornings a week beginning in October. Students will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite fitness options. The school plans to advertise the breakfast program and physical fitness classes through bulletin boards in student locker rooms, morning announcements, and dry erase boards funded by Fuel Up to Play 60.
“By offering students a variety of breakfast options and the opportunity to be physically active before the start of the school day, we know that they will walk into their first class focused and ready to learn,” said Dominica Nichols, nutrition specialist with Medford School District Foodservice.
More than 73,000 schools across the United States are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by National Dairy Council, local Dairy Councils and National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with 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 also support Fuel Up to Play 60.
Schools, parents and students can learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 at FuelUpToPlay60.com. Schools can learn more about eligibility requirements, and find the Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 application, at FuelUpToPlay60.com. There are several application windows each year, including the upcoming deadline on November 1, 2013.