Local Farmers Teach Kids About Dairy at Fuel Up to Play 60 Events

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Dairy farmers from across the region teamed up with American Dairy Association North East to help build trust in dairy with hundreds of students at seven Fuel Up to Play 60 Touchdown events. Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school health and wellness program that was initiated with National Dairy Council and the National Football League.

“Fuel Up to Play 60 has been a gateway for us to secure dairy’s place in school meals, since milk is the “fuel” students need for success,” said ADA North East President Audrey Donahoe. “Our partnership with the NFL teams in our region has supported our efforts to make sure kids have access to nutritious milk and dairy foods – every single day.”

“We’re so fortunate to have the support of our dairy farmers for Fuel Up to Play 60, which is active in more than 70 percent of the schools in our region,” said ADA North East CEO John Chrisman. “It helps get our foot in the door to promote our school nutrition strategies that are designed to protect dairy in school meals.”

The events were the culmination of the students’ participation in Fuel Up to Play 60 during the school year, the nation’s largest in-school health and wellness program. They were rewarded for reaching “Touchdown” status by reaching all levels of the program and were treated to visits with NFL players, dairy farmers and dairy promoters.

Dairy farmers and dairy promoters who participated in the events included:

Jenny Gehringer from Four Spring Farms, Kutztown, Pa., Philadelphia Eagles Touchdown Event

J.W. Wotthlie and daughter Morgan Osborn-Wotthlie, Maryland Dairy Princess, Union Bridge, Md. Baltimore Ravens Touchdown Event

Thad Sturgeon, Camp Run Farm, Fombell, Pa. Pittsburgh Steelers Touchdown Event

Austin and Lauren Schwartzbeck, Peace and Plenty Farm, Union Bridge, Md. Washington Commanders Touchdown Event

New York Giants and New York Jets – New York State Dairy Ambassador Ariana Aman and New Jersey Dairy Princess Jacquilin Kirby New York Giants, New York Jets Touchdown Event

Maryland Dairy Princess Morgan Osborn-Wotthlie Wicomico County, Eastern Shore Touchdown Event

Julie Richardson of Venture Farms, Fabius, N.Y. Buffalo Bills Touchdown Event

Fuel Up to Play 60 is the flagship program of GENYOUth, the nonprofit organization that creates healthier school communities and was founded by dairy farmers and the NFL. It convenes a network of private and public partners, including Fortune 100 companies and foundations, to raise funds for youth wellness initiatives.

For more information about Fuel Up to Play 60, visit AmericanDairy.com and click on “In Schools.”

–American Dairy Association North East