Ewin O. Smith High School Receives Funds for Smoothies

$2,332 Awarded by the Dairy Farm Families of Connecticut for Fuel Up to Play 60

Mansfield, CT – October 9, 2014 – Edwin O. Smith High School (most commonly referred to as E.O. Smith High School) in Storrs, CT has been chosen to receive $2,332 to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative, the New England Dairy & Food Council announced today.

E.O. Smith High School was selected from among hundreds of schools across the country that applied for funding to help them jumpstart and sustain healthy 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.

Funding for this program is provided by the dairy farm families of Connecticut through a partnership between the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board and the New England Dairy & Food Council.

Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 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.

E. O. Smith High School used the funding to purchase a commercial blender so they can start serving healthy fruit, milk and yogurt smoothies at breakfast and lunch.

The program began on Monday of this week and already the smoothies are a proving to be a healthy student-favorite in the school cafeteria.

“The E.O. Smith High School community is honored to have received this generous grant from New England Dairy & Food Council. With this grant, our dedicated team will be able to provide our students with high-quality, delicious smoothies to keep them fueled up for success. Our utmost goal is the well-being of our students and this is a great addition to achieving that goal,” said Kariann Sadlon, DTR, SNS, school nutrition director for Mansfield Public Schools.

Nearly 74,000 schools across the United States are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by National Dairy Council, local Dairy Councils and National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with 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 also support Fuel Up to Play 60.

“Smoothies have really taken off in Connecticut. We are seeing more and more schools add them to their menus as a great way to ensure kids are choosing healthy options,” said Amanda Aldred, RD, nutrition specialist for New England Dairy & Food Council.

Schools, parents and students can learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 at FuelUpToPlay60.com. Schools can learn more about eligibility requirements, and find the Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 application, at FuelUpToPlay60.com. There are several application windows each year, including an upcoming deadline on November 5, 2014.