Tracy, Calif.– Madera Unified School District received a $44,000 grant from GENYOUth through Fuel Up to Play 60 en español, an evolution of its national flagship program that encourages communities nationwide to live healthier lifestyles through good nutrition and physical activity. The funding will support the implementation of Fuel Up to Play 60 healthy eating and physical activity initiatives at 11 district schools.
Fuel Up to Play 60, a program founded by the National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), and funded locally by dairy farm families, is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive nutrition and physical activity changes for themselves, their schools and their communities. Studies show that physical fitness may benefit brain health and academic performance, suggesting active kids may do better.[i] However, only 1 in 3 kids are active every day,[ii] potentially leaving many at a disadvantage inside and outside of the classroom.
“Madera Unified is honored and excited to be awarded the Fuel Up to Play 60 grant,” said Marty Bitter, Director of Athletics for Madera Unified School District. “Madera Unified believes that active, healthy students increase student achievement, student attendance and being ready to learn. We are thankful to California dairy farmers, the NFL and NDC for their continued commitment to building healthier more active students and healthier families and communities.”
The en español grant means students in the Madera Unified School District will join the 13 million students who are eating healthier, 16 million students who are being more active and 130,000 adults who are enrolled and empowering youth in the United States through one national program – Fuel Up to Play 60iii (FUTP 60).
“We’re pleased to help Madera activate Fuel Up to Play 60 and inspire students to make healthy habits to fuel their brains and bodies,” said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications for the California Milk Advisory Board/Real California Milk. “In addition to producing nutritious products, California dairy families have dedicated more than 100 years to supporting healthy kids and families through education about eating well from all five food groups. Fuel Up to Play 60 is part of that legacy.”
Introduced in 2015, the Fuel Up to Play 60 en español materials, available online, include an interactive, Spanish-language student Dashboard and Playbook with resources and information about healthy eating and physical activity. As care giver diets and family physical activity habits often have an impact on children’s lifestyles, take-home materials and interactive resources for family members take Fuel Up to Play 60 beyond the classroom and into the community to help achieve the most effective results. Students, parents and educators can access Fuel Up to Play 60 en español by visiting FuelUptoPlay60.com to learn more about their role in supporting healthy, active schools and communities.
Created in partnership by the NFL and National Dairy Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s leading in-school wellness program creating transformational change in more than 73,000 schools nationwide since its launch. The national in-school nutrition and physical-activity program is activated in California by the state’s more than 1,300 dairy farm families. Since fall 2014, FUTP 60 has helped to award more than $500,000 in grants to schools throughout California in support of their wellness goals.
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), founded by America’s dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. As a result of the program, 13 million students are making better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, 16 million students are getting more physically active during the school day as a result of the program.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student contests. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.
About GENYOUth
GENYOUth empowers students to create a healthier future for themselves and their peers by convening a network of private and public partners to raise funds for youth wellness initiatives that bolster healthy, high-achieving students, schools and communities nationwide. We believe that all students are change-agents, who deserve the opportunity to identify and lead innovative solutions that positively impact nutrition, physical activity, and student success. For more information about GENYOUth, visit: www.genyouthnow.org
About the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB)
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is an instrumentality of the Department of Food & Agriculture funded by and representing California’s more than 1300 dairy farm families. The CMAB’s mission is to build awareness and demand for California milk and dairy products as represented by the Real California Milk and Cheese seals (RealCaliforniaMilk.com) and to support kids health and wellness through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program – a partnership with the NFL to encourage kids to fuel up with nutritious foods and get 60 minutes of physical activity each day (FuelUpToPlay60.com). Connect with Real California Milk through social media at Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Photo Caption/Left to Right: Arlene Vander Eyk, California dairy producer, California Milk Advisory Board/Dairy Council of California board member; Sandon Schwartz, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Support Services, Madera Unified School District; Brian Chiarito, Director of Child Nutrition, Madera Unified School District; Andy Beakes, Principal, John J. Pershing Elementary School; Victor Villar, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Madera Unified School District; Mario Carpenter, District 6 2nd Alternate Dairy Princess; Jaime Brown, Carol M. White PEP Grant Coordinator, Madera Unified School District; and Marty Bitter, Director of Athletics, Madera Unified School District.
[i] American College of Sports Medicine, American School Health Association, GENYOUth Foundation, National Dairy Council. The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Through Healthy School Environment, March 2013.
[ii] National Association for Sport and Physical Education. The Fitness Equation: Physical Activity + Balanced Diet = Fit Kids. Reston, VA: National Association for Sport and Physical Education, 1999.
iii Fueluptoplay60.com
Source: California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB)