Hopkins School District #270

02/16/2012

Tanglen Elementary has been chosen to receive a $4000 Fuel Up to Play 60 grant from among hundreds of schools across the country that applied for funding to help them jumpstart and sustain 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.

This fall, Alice Smith and Eisenhower Elementary received $4,000 and $3,000 respectively from Fuel Up to Play. Tanglen Elementary will use the funds to purchase mobile equipment to expand a new "grab-n-go" breakfast station where students can pick up breakfast on the way to their classrooms.

"Our goal is to remove all barriers that might prevent any of our students from eating a well balanced breakfast of protein, grains, fruits and dairy, so they start out their school day with the right foods that help them feel good and ready to learn," said Barb Mechura, Director of Student Nutrition Services department.

Fuel Up to Play 60 funds provide 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 in an effort to champion school wellness.

More than 70,000 schools across the United States are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. Launched by National Dairy Council, local dairy councils and the National Football League, in collaboration with the United States 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 are also supporting Fuel Up to Play 60, now in its third year.

Schools, parents and students can learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 at FuelUpToPlay60.com.