Missouri's Governor Nixon Supports Fuel Up to Play 60


Missouri Dairy Farmers, Fuel Up to Play 60 Students and Supporters Celebrate at Missouri State Capitol


Midwest Dairy Association logo
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon yesterday signed a proclamation recognizing Fuel Up to Play 60 for its efforts in encouraging students to eat healthy and be active. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program that encourages students to make positive changes in their schools by improving opportunities to consume nutrient-rich foods and to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

The program, launched by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, is provided by the Midwest Dairy Council in the state of Missouri and in nine other Midwest states. The program is now in more than 70,000 schools nationwide, including more than 1,800 Missouri schools reaching more than 807,000 students. Governor Nixon was joined yesterday by Missouri dairy farmers Bill Siebenborn from Trenton, Tom Oelrichs from Mora and Donna Telle from Uniontown, Fuel Up to Play 60 students Cassidy Ley, a sixth grader from Madison and a Fuel Up to Play 60 student ambassador, Dillon Mobley, a fifth grader from Moscow Mills, and Fuel Up to Play 60 Missouri Program Advisor of the Year Kathy Beezley from Rogers Middle School in Afton.

Other program partners were on hand including representatives from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the St. Louis Rams. The proclamation states, "Whereas, a lifestyle that involves adequate nutrition and physical fitness is a pathway to a healthy life and can play a critical role in promoting effective learning in school for young people, now therefore, I, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, Governor of the State of Missouri, do hereby recognize Fuel Up to Play 60 for its efforts to encourage students to eat healthy and be active.

"Fuel Up to Play 60 addresses real-world circumstances of resource-strapped schools by offering funding opportunities that can help schools make strides in meeting their wellness goals. Midwest Dairy Council has awarded more than $1.5 million in funds and rewards to schools in 10 states, including more than $96,800 to Missouri schools. The funding, provided by Midwest Dairy on behalf of local dairy farmers, helps these schools jumpstart school wellness efforts.

The program provides a free playbook of tools, resources, rewards and engagement activities to empower youth to work with adults in their school community to make healthy changes. To learn more, visit www.fueluptoplay60.com or www.midwestdairy.com.

01.24.2013