PHILADELPHIA – Dairy farmers from Maryland and Pennsylvania partnered with star players from regional National Football League (NFL® ) teams to recognize successful Fuel Up to Play 60 school programs in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Hosted by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, the award ceremonies recognized Program Advisors who led student teams to achieve milestones in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program during the 2012-13 school year. Thirty-six schools in the region were recognized for achieving “Touchdown” status, the highest level in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, which is supported by dairy farmers through National Dairy Council, in partnership with the NFL and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“For almost 100 years, dairy farmers have supported the health and wellbeing of children through dairy and nutrition education programs. Fuel Up to Play 60 is part of this legacy,” said Sharon Piano, Fuel Up to Play 60 coordinator for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “We are excited to have our dairy farmers team up with NFL players to deliver the message to ‘fuel up’ with nutrient-rich foods, including dairy, and ‘play 60’ minutes or more every day.”
Participating dairy farmers were: Laurie Savage, Dickerson, Md.; Larry Jarvis, Walkersville, Md.; Jeff Grove, Shippensburg, Pa.; and Amy Gable, New Enterprise, Pa.
Larry Jarvis attended the awards ceremony held at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens. Jarvis explained to the audience of teachers and school staff members how his family cares for more than 1,000 Holstein cows on their family farm in Frederick County, Md.
“This was the first I’ve been involved with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program,” Jarvis said. “I had a very positive and educational experience.”
The dairy farmers shared photos of their family farm with the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisors and emphasized the role of dairy farmers in producing safe, nutritious dairy foods that are part of a well-balanced diet.
Following Jarvis’s presentation, Ray Rice, running back for the Baltimore Ravens, shared how he includes dairy in his meals as part of a balanced diet.
Jarvis commended Rice’s involvement in the program. “Ray is an excellent spokesperson for Fuel up to Play 60 and the dairy industry,” Jarvis said. “He was very down-to-earth and answered all questions from the Program Advisors.”
Events took place at each of the regional NFL facilities: Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers; Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles; M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens; and Redskins Park, training facility for the Washington Redskins.
Nearly 73,000 schools nationwide are currently enrolled in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program – that’s three-fourths of all the schools in the U.S. – with the potential to reach more than 38 million children. Only 1,236 schools completed all six steps to become Touchdown schools during the 2012-13 school year.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school health and wellness program and empowers students to take the lead in choosing the changes they want to make, including access to healthier food, including low-fat and fat-free dairy, and physical activity every day.
Dairy farmers, through the National Dairy Council®, launched the Fuel Up to Play 60 program in 2009. The program is sponsored locally by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, a regional affiliate of National Dairy Council. Learn more at www.FuelUpToPlay60.com or www.FuelUpToPlay60mediaresources.com.
Caption: Jarvis1.jpg: Maryland dairy farmer Larry Jarvis, Walkersville, Md., right, teamed up with Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice to speak to Program Advisors recognized at a recent Fuel Up to Play 60 awards program.
Source: Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association
