Millions Of U.S. Students Are Missing Breakfast, Denying Themselves The Chance To Fuel Greatness - Inside And Outside Of School

ROSEMONT, Ill., March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation's largest in school health and wellness program, in conjunction with National School Breakfast Week (March 2-6), launched Fuel Greatness, in an effort to elevate the conversation around good nutrition and physical activity to help ensure a healthy, high-achieving generation of youth. Kicking off today, the program will focus on increasing accessibility and participation in school breakfast to ensure kids start their day with the fuel they need to help them succeed.

Research shows that improved nutrition, including daily breakfast, and increased physical activity can lead to improved academic performance. Eating breakfast at school can help kids be more attentive, behave better and achieve higher test scoresⁱ, but millions of kids aren't eating this important mealⁱⁱ. In a recent national survey, No Kid Hungry's annual 'Hunger in Our Schools' report identified that more than three quarters (76 percent) of educators say that their students come to school hungry.

The Food Research and Action Center's (FRAC) School Breakfast Scorecard published last month noted that 13.2 million children ate school breakfast each day during the 2013-14 school year, and while participation is increasing, traditional school breakfast programs often encounter a variety of challenges (tight morning scheduling, cafeteria capacity, and fear of students being stigmatized). In order to increase participation and access, many schools are having success with alternative breakfast models. Options like Grab and Go, Breakfast in the Classroom and Second Chance Breakfast can help boost participation by moving breakfast to a time and location that is often more convenient for students. Teachers are also seeing the benefits with 75 percent of teachers saying that breakfast in the classroom was a positive experience for their students.ⁱⁱⁱ

Fuel Up to Play 60 is playing a key role in helping schools improve or expand their breakfast programs placing an emphasis on sustainable alternative breakfast options. Schools can access resources and apply for funds that can be used to purchase items such as coolers, carts, insulated bags or Grab and Go kiosks. The following are a few of many examples of schools across the country that are implementing new ways to encourage students to eat breakfast:

• All Schools in W.Va. — are implementing universal school breakfast via alternative breakfast models by the end of 2015. The state saw one of the nation's greatest percentage increases in school breakfast participation among low-income children in the 2013-14 school year with an 11.2 percent increase over the previous year, and educators are observing less tardiness, less absences and more attentive students.^iv
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C.— the 18^th largest school district in the country — took a bold step for the 2013-14 school year by offering free breakfast to all students via quick and simple programs such as Grab and Go and Breakfast in the Classroom. More than 7,000 students now start their day with school breakfast and report feeling better prepared and focused on their studies.
• Woodall District in Tahlequah, Okla. — served 5,760 more breakfasts during the 2013-14 school year than in the previous year by offering Breakfast in the Classroom, and teachers loved that students were able to enjoy breakfast and start their day off right without cutting into instructional time.

"Mobilizing communities to advocate for and implement alternative breakfast models in schools nationwide requires collaboration at the local and national level," said Jean Ragalie-Carr, RDN, LDN, President, National Dairy Council. "Fuel Up to Play 60 is making an impact on school breakfast participation through the unwavering support from America's dairy farmers and dairy importers, many powerful partners, and dedicated students, educators, parents and community leaders working together to take action to help youth fuel greatness."

Throughout March, schools across the country are planning school breakfast events to encourage parents, community members, thought leaders, school stakeholders and students themselves to play a part in bringing school breakfast to all kids.

Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to:

• Learn more about why school breakfast matters and see how community members, health and wellness thought leaders, NFL stars, school districts and others are helping Fuel Greatness.
• Access resources to help encourage your local school to start a school breakfast program and implement alternative breakfast service models.
• Find ways to help schools enroll in Fuel Up to Play 60 or further their involvement with the program.
• Join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and show us how you Fuel Greatness with breakfast using #FuelGreatness, and be on the lookout for videos about fueling greatness every day featuring an NFL star!

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 more than 13 million students made better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, nearly 16 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. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

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.

ⁱ 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.
ⁱⁱ Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S, et al. 2012. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States 2011, Surveillance Summary No. 61(SS04);1-162. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/mwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6104a1.htm. Accessed on January 31, 2013.
ⁱⁱⁱ No Kid Hungry, Share Our Strength, Hunger in Our Schools, 2015. 2015. Available at http://www.hungerinourschools.org/img/NKH-HungerInOurSchoolsReport-2015.pdf.  
^iv FRAC (Food Research and Action Center): School Breakfast Scorecard: 2013-2014 School Year. 2014. Available at http://frac.org/pdf/School_Breakfast_Scorecard_SY_2013_2014.pdf.  

For More Information:
Scott Wallin
(407) 765-1561
[email protected]

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SOURCE Fuel Up to Play 60