Wellness Program at Assabet Gets National Funds

Photo (submitted): New England Dairy & Food Council Registered Dietitian Jill Read presents $1,939 in funding to Kristopher Luoto, Director of Business Operations, Donna Lucier, Food Service Manager, Karen Reed, School Nurse, and Ernie Houle, Superintendent, at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School for Fuel Up to Play 60.

Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School has been chosen to receive $1,939 to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative, the New England Dairy & Food Council announced recently.

Assabet Valley Regional Technical 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, said the announcement.

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 New England Dairy & Food Council and the dairy farmers of Massachusetts.

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.

With these funds, the school will now be able to add healthy smoothies made with fruit, yogurt and milk to the breakfast menu by purchasing an industrial size blender. The school’s Grab ‘n’ Go breakfast cart will offer the smoothies to students as they enter the school. This is a great way to get students excited about fueling up with a healthy school breakfast. Research shows that eating breakfast at school is linked to higher test scores, fewer visits to the school nurse, better attendance and an overall better experience at school. Students are looking forward to having access to one of their favorite items now that the school is able to offer smoothies as a convenient, healthy option for breakfast.

“This will be another attraction to our breakfast program,” said Donna Lucier, food service manager at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, in a statement. “Students love choice, and we’re excited to offer a healthy option like smoothies to help our busy students meet their nutritional needs.”

Nearly 74,000 schools across the United States are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by National Dairy Council and National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program encourages youth to consume nutrient-dense foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

“Fuel Up to Play 60 has really taken off at the school. The addition of the smoothie program will give students yet another healthy option when they eat school breakfast,” said Jill Read, RD, LDN, registered dietitian from 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 the upcoming deadline on Nov. 4, 2015.

Information submitted by Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School