LOTHIAN, Md., Sept. 2, 2010 – USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today met with students and staff at Southern Middle School to applaud their participation in Fuel Up to Play 60, an initiative that promotes better nutrition and increased physical activity. Fuel Up to Play 60, is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL), with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), that empowers and encourages youth to eat nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and to achieve 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
“By giving students a voice in shaping their future, National Dairy Council, the NFL and USDA are providing opportunities for children to lead real change in the fight against childhood obesity,” Concannon said. “Fuel Up to Play 60 also gives leaders in health, business, government and communities a greater opportunity to help children develop and maintain healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign is working to ensure the health and well-being of America’s children by promoting safe, balanced and nutritious meals and encouraging active lifestyles through programs like Fuel Up to Play 60. Strengthening the Child Nutrition Act is the legislative centerpiece of Let’s Move! campaign. This bill, which passed the Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support at the beginning of August, authorizes USDA’s child nutrition programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs which serve as the nutritional backbone for over 32 million of kids across the nation. To learn more about the First Lady’s Let’s Move! campaign, visit www.LetsMove.gov.
In its first year, over 60,000 schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 nationwide. Most of the program components, developed for and by youth - such as the program curriculum, in-school promotional materials, website and youth social media partnerships - are customizable. The program’s design allows students and schools to determine which tools and resources best help meet each school’s wellness goals. It also features easy enrollment and step-by-step guidance for adults and students by responding to real-world needs in today’s schools.
“With fat-free and low-fat dairy being a staple of a nutritious diet for growing children, it’s only natural that child health and wellness be a key priority for every link in the dairy industry’s supply chain, from farmers to processors, manufacturers, distributors and grocery stores,” said Jean Ragalie, R.D., Executive Vice President, Dairy Health and Wellness for National Dairy Council.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit www.fns.usda.gov for information about FNS and the USDA nutrition assistance programs.
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. NFL PLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit www.NFLRush.com.
©2010 NFL Properties LLC. Team names/logos/indicia are trademarks of the teams indicated. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.
About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council® (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc™. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person’s lifespan. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.
