Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Kickoff at R. Dan Nolan Middle School

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer All-Pro Derrick Brooks and the Dairy Council of Florida joined R. Dan Nolan Middle School students Tuesday, November 3rd at a rally kicking off Fuel Up to Play 60.  Fuel Up to Play 60 is a new program that empowers students to make changes at school that will help them “get active and play” for 60 minutes a day and “fuel up” with critical nutrient-rich foods that are often missing from their diets.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is provided by the Dairy Council of Florida and the NFL. It is part of a national initiative by the NFL and National Dairy Council (NDC) to prevent and help combat childhood obesity and help youth develop life-long healthy eating and daily physical activity habits. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an unprecedented opportunity to join the strengths and resources of these two powerful organizations and help youth establish healthy behaviors.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a youth-led national wellness program that is offered free-of-charge to 60,000 U.S. schools, reaching 36 million students, during the 2009–2010 school year.  As part of the program, student teams work with adult leaders in each school to make kid-appealing, good-tasting, nutrient-rich foods, such as low-fat chocolate milk, yogurt and fruit parfaits, whole grain pasta and salad bars more available. They also create opportunities for daily physical activity, such as noon walking clubs, and after school sports and dance clubs.  R. Dan Nolan Middle School is one of Florida’s 20 pilot schools for the program. 

Students register at www.FuelUpToPlay60.com and take a pledge to get 60 minutes of daily physical activity and eat healthier foods.  Participating schools and youth have the chance to win great prizes for their efforts, such as winning an iPod touch or the chance to star in an upcoming Fuel Up to Play 60 promotion. One national school winner will win a healthy school makeover. 

Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages kids to get involved and make changes that will help make their schools healthier places.  The program reaches youth directly and engages their help in leading and inspiring their friends.

For more coverage and photos on the event, please visit the following links:

Sarasota Herald-Tribune (http://tinyurl.com/yhklqjc)

Bradenton Herald (http://tinyurl.com/yzpuen5)