MARY R. TISKO SCHOOL RECEIVES FUNDS FOR FUEL UP TO PLAY 60

$3,875 Awarded by the Dairy Farm Families of Connecticut for Fuel Up to Play 60

 Branford – March 13, 2014 – Mary R. Tisko School has been chosen to receive $3,875 to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative, the New England Dairy & Food Council announced today. Mary R. Tisko School was selected from among hundreds of schools across the country that applied for funding to help them jump start 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 program is provided by the dairy farm families of Connecticut through a partnership between the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board and the New England Dairy & Food Council.

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.

Mary R. Tisko School will use the funds to offer a new “grab-n-go” breakfast program offered at the beginning of each school day.  In addition, they will use the funds to expand their morning fitness program and to entice more students to work toward their 60 minutes of physical activity every day before the school day even begins.  Also, the students have created their own fitness DVD which teachers can use during the school day for much needed activity breaks.

“Mary R. Tisko Elementary School is excited to have Fuel Up to Play 60 and the New England Dairy & Food Council joining our school community in helping us to create a healthier environment.  Through these funds, we have been able to enrich our school wellness and become a more active instructional setting,” said James O’Connor, principal of Mary R. Tisko Elementary School.

“As a dairy farmer in the greater Branford area, it is very rewarding to help schools provide opportunities for students to become healthier.  It is wonderful to see the activities Mary Tisko School has implemented under Fuel Up To Play 60,” said Stephanie Page, dairy farmer in North Branford, CT.

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 U.S. 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.

“Fuel Up to Play 60 has really taken off Branford. Wellness champions and students in more than 900 schools in Connecticut have embraced the program, and these funds will help many of the participating schools do even more,” said Heidi Harkopf, nutrition specialist with New England Dairy & Food Council.  

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 upcoming deadlines in 2014.

About the Dairy Farm Families of Connecticut

The dairy farm families of Connecticut support the health and wellness of kids in local schools, and the Fuel Up To Play 60 program is a major initiative to achieve that goal. Connecticut’s dairy farms are a vital part of  the local economy, and they play a key role in preserving the beauty of the green fields and open spaces that make this region special to residents and visitors alike. Funding for this program is provided by those dairy farm families through a partnership between the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board chaired by Commissioner of Agriculture Steven Reviczky, and the New England Dairy & Food Council.

New England Dairy & Food Council (NEDFC) is a non-profit nutrition education organization staffed by registered dietitians. NEDFC is a state and regional affiliate of the National Dairy Council® (NDC).  Our goal is to ensure that health professionals, scientists, media and educators have a credible body of nutrition information upon which to base health recommendations.

About Fuel Up to Play 60

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from 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.

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 with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

About NFL PLAY 60

Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL‟s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like the National Dairy Council. NFLPLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit NFLRush.com. © 2012 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).