Fuel Up To Play 60 And Quaker® Oats Team Up To Inspire And Encourage Healthy Habits Nationwide

For The Love of Play Campaign Encourages Everyone to Fuel Up and Play this Fall for a Chance to Win Big

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The Quaker Oats Company; Fuel Up to Play 60

Sep 09, 2014, 08:00 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Play is universal for all ages and research shows that physical activity, in combination with good nutrition, is essential to a healthy lifestyle.¹ That is why today Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation's largest in-school wellness program is launching 'For the Love of Play,' a campaign to inspire everyone to get up and get active for at least 60 minutes of play a day — at school, at home, and everywhere in between. As part of the campaign, Quaker Oats, a division of PepsiCo, Inc., is inviting parents nationwide to get involved by entering the Quaker Make the Play contest, to share the unique ways their family plays.

Andrew Luck teams up with Quaker for the third consecutive year to help inspire families to think about fueling up, eating right and getting active for at least 60 minutes of play a day. (PRNewsFoto/The Quaker Oats Company)

The Quaker Oats Company (PRNewsFoto/The Quaker Oats Company)

FUEL UP TO PLAY 60 (PRNewsFoto/Fuel Up To Play 60)

Studies show that active kids do better when it comes to academic performance and concentration in class.¹ However, only one in three kids are active every day, potentially leaving many at a disadvantage inside and outside of the classroom.¹ From students and teachers, to parents and community members, For the Love of Play reminds everyone that they have a role to play in emphasizing the importance of physical activity and good nutrition in order to lead healthier lives.

Helping Inspire Healthy Families with Quaker's Make the Play Contest:
As part of the Quaker Make the Play contest, participating families have the chance to win a grand prize "Day of Play²" in their hometown with Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Andrew Luck, plus daily giveaways for a $50 NFLShop.com gift card.

"We are proud to continue our relationship with Fuel Up to Play 60 and the NFL to help families and communities understand the unmatched benefits of physical activity and nourishing foods," said Justin Lambeth, Chief Marketing Officer, Quaker Foods North America. "Quaker has been committed to helping fuel families for more than 135 years, and we are looking forward to seeing the creative ways that families stay active through our 'Make the Play' Contest."

Luck is teaming up with Quaker for the third consecutive year to help inspire families to think about eating right and getting active. Whole grain oats are a great way to provide families with the energy they want for play.

"I'm excited to continue my work with Quaker," said Andrew Luck. "Whether I'm on or off the field, I know the importance of getting enough sleep, and starting the day with a wholesome breakfast like oatmeal made with milk and fruit. While I'm lucky enough to have my day job keep me active, I have some great memories of playing made up backyard games with my siblings. Many of them would have been awesome submissions for the 'Make the Play' contest!"

Getting Active with FUTP60's Love of Play Campaign:
For the Love of Play was created as a reminder for all ages that play is fun and easy! Whether it's flag football with friends, physical education and active brain breaks at school, a game of tag in the backyard or organized sports after school – the ways to play are endless. Kids, parents and teachers can visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to:

Learn more about why physical activity matters
See how kids and NFL stars are getting their 60 minutes of play a day
Get involved with Fuel Up to Play 60 at their school and access resources like physical activity Plays that help integrate activity into the school day as well as resources to advance nutrition and physical activity efforts

"With research showing that increased physical activity, paired with better nutrition, can lead to improved academic achievement, America's dairy farmers who have supported child health and wellness for nearly 100 years, are proud to continue to support a healthier generation with Fuel Up to Play 60," said Jean Ragalie-Carr, RDN, LDN, President of National Dairy Council. "By convening our partners to make it a community effort, we're excited to see For the Love of Play reach kids, teachers, families and community members across the nation to influence positive change."

Created in partnership by the National Football League and National Dairy Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 creates real transformational change in more than 73,000 schools nationwide. As a result of the program, last year 14 million students ate better by adding nutritious foods like low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains to their meals. Additionally, 14 million are getting more physically active during the school day.

About The Quaker Oats Company
The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 130 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Holding leadership positions in their respective categories, Quaker® Oats, Quaker® Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy® Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on Twitter @Quaker.

About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. NDC has taken a leadership role in promoting child health and wellness through programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by NDC and the National Football League (NFL), Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.

About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America's dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. As a result of the program, last year 14 million students made better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, 14 million students are getting more physically active during the school day.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student contests. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association/Foundation, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2013, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

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[1] American College of Sports Medicine, American School Health Association, GENYOUth Foundation, National Dairy Council, The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Through Healthy School Environment, March 2013.

[2] "Day of Play" consists of three hours of play with Andrew Luck.