Fuel Up to Play 60, the Nation's Largest In-School Wellness Program, Launches National Effort to Help Increase School Breakfast Participation for All Students

Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation's largest in school health and wellness program, in conjunction with National School Breakfast Week (March 2-6), launched Fuel Greatness, an effort to elevate the conversation around good nutrition and physical activity to ensure a healthy, high- achieving generation of youth. The program, which kicked off in Nebraska on March 4 with a special event at Beals Elementary in Omaha, focuses on increasing accessibility and participation in school breakfast to ensure all kids start their day with the fuel they need to help them succeed. At the event, Beals Elementary was honored by the Midwest Dairy Council and Hunger Free Heartland for its successful integration of alternative breakfast programs.

Research shows that improved nutrition, including daily breakfast, and increased physical activity can lead to improved academic performance. Eating breakfast at school can help kids be more attentive, behave better and achieve higher test scoresi, but millions of kids aren't eating this important mealii.

In a recent national survey, No Kid Hungry's annual ‘Hunger in Our Schoo ls' report identified that more than three quarters (76 percent) of educators say that their students come to school hungry.

Beals Elementary, as well as several other schools throughout the Midwest region, has eliminated many of the barriers that prevent students from fueling up before they dive into school work or other activities each day. The school showcased their Grab & Go breakfast model for special guests, including former Nebraska Cornhusker and current running back for the Washington Redskins Roy Helu Jr., along with local Nebraska Dairy farmer Dave Crook and Nebraska's Commissioner of Education Dr. Matt Blomstedt

The school's unique program allows students to grab convenient, healthy breakfast options on their way to the classroom, ensuring that students begin their day with a healthy, nutritious breakfast.

"It is clear that Grab & Go breakfasts are a huge hit at Beals Elementary and a great start to energize the learning environment each day," said Dr. Blomstedt. "I am very impressed with the attention to nutrition, health, and education imparted by the program."

At the event, Roy Helu Jr. and dairy farmer Dave Crook led students in physical activities, interacted with students in the breakfast line, joined them in their classrooms as they ate breakfast, and held a Q&A session over morning announcements.

"Decades of research shows us that kids do better in school, on the playground and at home when they eat a healthy breakfast," said Melissa Young, vice president of health and wellness for Midwest Dairy Council. "Schools throughout the Midwest, including Beals Elementary, have made great strides toward ensuring every student has a chance to eat breakfast, and we are grateful for their initiative and creativity in driving awareness and participation."

Throughout March, schools across the country are planning school breakfast events to encourage parents, community members, thought leaders, school stakeholders and students themselves to play a part in bringing school breakfast to all kids.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the National Dairy Council's commitment to school health and wellness. Since 1915, the National Dairy Council has promoted nutrition education through child health and wellness programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60. Locally, the Midwest Dairy Council implements these programs, with support from Nebraska's dairy farmers.

Fuel Greatness is a Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative designed to mobilize communities to advocate for and implement school breakfast models that drive participation.

For more information, or to learn more about how you can help fuel greatness in your school or community, please visit MidwestDairy.com.

Helu's appearance was scheduled by National Football League Players Inc., the exclusive licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association.

About Midwest Dairy Council
Midwest Dairy Council®, an affiliate of National Dairy Council, is the nutrition education division of Midwest Dairy Association. The Council is dedicated to dairy nutrition research and education through the investment of more than 9,100 dairy farm families across 10 Midwestern states, and is committed to child health and wellness through our collaborative program, Fuel Up to Play 60. For more information, visit www.midwestdairy.com. Follow us on Twitter and find us on Facebook at Midwest Dairy.

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.Return to Industry Buzz.

3.9.2015