Midway Middle School recently hosted a Fuel Up to Play 60 kickoff during lunch hours in the cafeteria.
“Fuel Up to Play 60 is the in-school nutrition and physical activity program founded by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, based on a mutual commitment to the health of the next generation,” according to the program’s website, http://school.fueluptoplay60.com.
“This comprehensive program focuses on promoting healthier eating and more physical activity opportunities school-wide. Students and adults work together to select and implement a series of ‘plays’ that result in long-term changes in these two important areas.”
When Walker Middle students passed through the lunch line on the day of the kickoff, they were met by FUTP60 student leaders, who gave every student a serving of pineapple and mango. The student leaders then walked around the cafeteria and gathered information from their peers for their fruit survey. They asked questions like, “Do you like the fruit?” and “Do you eat the fruit outside of school?” and “Would you eat the fruit if it was on the lunch menu?”
Meanwhile, Julie Wilkinson from the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Inc. awarded students with Fuel Up to Play 60 bracelets once they answered questions about the program.
During the kickoff, Wilkinson presented a $2,500 novelty grant check to Assistant Principal Tom Willoughby.
As the students left the cafeteria, they stopped to sign the FUTP60 pledge board and pick up fliers.
Event organizers said the kickoff was a success, and many of the students said they enjoyed the fresh mango and pineapple.
School nutrition manager Brenda Morgan said there were plenty of fresh mango slices left after the event, so they were served during lunch the following day.