News

TODAY Show visits Hatcher Family Farm

“Wednesday was a good day – a good day to “Wake up with Al,” a good day to be on a farm and a good day to know I work for one of the best industries around.”

SUDIA’s Aimee Jones had the unique opportunity to visit the Hatcher Family Dairy Farm in College Grove, Tenn., while Al Roker with NBC’s “The Today Show” was there, conducting a live weather forecast and learning a bit about life on the farm.

The Hatchers were one of three winners of the “Wake up with Al” contest, so they hosted Al Roker on their family farm, where since 1831, five generations of Hatchers have farmed the land.

The farm was filled with friends and family who came out as early as 5:30 a.m. to support the Hatchers and get a glimpse of the famous weatherman who had the chance to milk a cow, bottle feed a calf, drive a tractor and eat a breakfast of locally grown food. He also asked the Hatchers about how they care for their cows, how much cows eat and how much milk each cow produces.

“It occurred to me as we saw all the spotlights on us in the barn that this is such a great opportunity to put a spotlight on dairy farming and really give people an idea of where their food comes from,” Dr. Charlie Hatcher, who is also Tennessee’s state veterinarian, told me during a break in filming Wednesday morning.

Al Roker seemed to be in his element on the dairy farm – relaxed, smiling and chatting easily with the Hatchers and members of the audience. As he was greeting everyone, one lady told him that she grew the strawberries that were served for breakfast. Smiling, Al nodded appreciatively and told her how good they tasted.

But it wasn’t just the strawberries that Al seemed to appreciate. During one segment, Al described how dairy farmers – and all farmers, in fact – are “the backbone of America.”

“They work hard every day, and they don’t complain – they just do it,” he said.

Gathering the Hatcher family around him – all six generations of them – Al shared some chocolate milk that is produced and processed on the farm.

“You know, you forget the simple pleasure of chocolate milk,” he said after a taking a big sip.

I chatted some with Debbie Ogilvie White, a family friend of the Hatchers whose farm is adjacent to the Hatchers. Debbie said it is very gratifying that the Hatchers were able to bring such national attention to farming.

“This is just wonderful,” she said. “It makes me happy that there are still farms in this community so that kids can grow up and know where their milk comes from. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone.”

View the photo gallery here!

Buchanan, Buffett share ideas on school health

Emma Buchanan, a student from Glade Spring, Va., experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet renowned business leader Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in Omaha, Neb., Friday as part of GENYOUth Foundation’s AdVenture Capital grant program. Buchanan was one of five students serving as a Student Ambassador for Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation’s largest in-school wellness program created by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Students were selected for submitting an entrepreneurial idea to give their classmates greater access to healthier food and physical activity.

Patrick Henry High School will receive $4,000 from GENYOUth Foundation to implement Buchanan’s “Health Matters: Teaching Wellness for all Generations” program.

“Having the chance to meet Mr. Buffett and work with other Fuel Up to Play 60 ambassadors gives me the motivation I need to make my health and wellness initiative a great success for my school,” said Buchanan.

During her meeting with Buffett, Buchanan shared her winning idea to improve school wellness and received feedback and advice from the business magnate. All five winners were special guests at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting and will go on to lead their programs in their schools with guidance from an “Inspiration Panel” of young innovators in education, technology and social media.

“Healthy students are better students, and children themselves are often the best source of creative ideas to make schools a healthier place,” said Cheryl Hayn, general manager of Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Inc. “Emma is a true leader at a young age, and we look forward to seeing how she will help her peers at Patrick Henry High School make health and wellness a priority which includes foods children don’t get enough of such as low-fat dairy foods, whole grains, fruits and vegetables and 60 minutes of play each day.” Read Buchanan's blog about the experience here!

Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee to meet

The Tennessee Dairy Promotion Board Committee will meet at the Hyatt Place on May 30, 2013 from 6 p.m. The Hyatt Place is located at 202 Summit View Drive in Brentwood, Tennessee.

NFL awards SUDIA schools with FUTP60 grants

A more active and healthy southeast is on the horizon. On Monday, the National Football League (NFL) awarded Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) grants to 62 schools in the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Inc. (SUDIA) region. The grants, which are provided by SUDIA in partnership with the NFL, will help the schools implement and maintain the FUTP60 program.

“The NFL is strongly committed to helping the next generation of youth achieve healthier lifestyles,” said Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL. “Through Fuel Up to Play 60, we want young people to discover that healthy habits can be both fun and empowering.”

Launched by the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the NFL in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FUTP60 empowers youth to take action to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health. The ultimate goal is to ensure the changes made at school are sustainable, making it possible for children to have more opportunities to be physically active and choose tasty, nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains throughout.

“Fuel Up to Play 60 is already demonstrating that children want to, and will continue to, contribute to improving the health of the kids in their school,” said David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., 16th U.S. Surgeon General.

Falcons reward contest winners with celebration

The Atlanta Falcons, Borden Dairy and the Southeast Dairy Association (SUDIA) teamed up to host the Rise Up, Fuel Up Borden Milk Contest celebration on Friday, March 8 at Lanier High School. Representatives from Borden and SUDIA joined Falcons running back Jason Snelling at the celebration.

“I found the best way to promote the milk consumption contest was through social media and messages online to the students, parents and school staff,” said Angel Luna, cafeteria manager at Lanier. “We used fliers and signs were hung in the cafeteria to promote our messages. I was shocked to hear we were the first place school for the district. It feels good to know the kids really do care about healthy foods and drinks and participate in our promotions. They take it seriously and enjoy it a lot.”

The lunch celebration celebrated Lanier High as the grand prize winner of the annual Rise Up, Fuel Up milk consumption contest. Lanier finished with the largest increase in milk consumption over the contest period to win the top prize. As part of the FUTP60 program, the Rise Up, Fuel Up contest aimed to promote the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle among the region’s youth. Incentives, resources and tools provided by SUDIA encouraged students to choose healthier foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy foods.

Value of dairy remains strong as food prices rise

While fuel prices are rising, which drives the cost of nearly all products, including food and other commodities, the value of dairy foods remains strong.

In addition to the continued struggling economy, the USDA Economic Research Service reported that last summer’s drought, which was more far-reaching than any since the 1950s, contributed to an increase in the retail price of many items, including cereal, corn flour, beef, pork, poultry and dairy.

“The drought has the potential to increase retail prices for beef, pork, poultry, and dairy products first and foremost … into 2013,” the USDA’s U.S. Drought 2012: Farm and Food Impacts report states.

The drought crippled the development of corn crops, which is a primary source of food for cows. Dairy farmers who normally grow their own food not only lost the investment of time and money put into planting and irrigating crops that did not grow, but they also had to spend more money on buying feed from other sources.

While retail prices across the country are rising and falling inconsistently, milk and other dairy foods continue to offer the stability of being one of the best nutritional values of any food group. At 25 cents per glass, milk is less expensive and healthier than other beverages. Milk contains calcium, protein, potassium, phosphors and vitamins A and D, making it one of the best values at the supermarket.

New research is emerging that shows how much protein is packed in yogurt and other dairy food. Those results will be made public in the coming months.

Titans reward milk contest winners with pep rally

The Tennessee Titans, Purity Dairies and the Southeast Dairy Association (SUDIA) teamed up to host the Fuel Up to Play 60 “Titans of Taste” Purity Milk Contest Pep Rally on Friday, January 25 at North Coffee Elementary School. Representatives from Purity and SUDIA joined Titans Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) representative Marc Mariani, the Titans cheerleaders and the Titans mascot at the pep rally.

Purity President Mark Ezell kicked off the pep rally by recognizing the Tennessee dairy farmers that made the “Titans of Taste” contest possible. He congratulated North Coffee for increasing its milk consumption by 41 percent. Ezell closed his address by encouraging students on how important it is to fuel up and stay active.

Mariani echoed Ezell’s sentiments about healthy eating and staying active. The Titans return specialist then talked about his favorite breakfast foods and his pregame routines. He encouraged the students to try different sports and activities at least once.

Ezell then presented a check for $5,000 to help North Coffee Elementary School implement the FUTP60 program.

"Titans of Taste" winners announced

Students at North Coffee Elementary took home the grand prize at the Fuel Up to Play 60 “Titans of Taste” Purity Milk Contest Celebration Luncheon at Nashville's LP Field.

A collaborative effort between the Tennessee Titans, Purity Dairies and the Southeast Dairy Association, the “Titans of Taste” milk contest rewarded schools for increased milk consumption during the month of October. Titans Fuel Up to Play 60 representative Marc Mariani, the Voice of the Titans Mike Keith, Purity Dairies President Mark Ezell, Purity Vice President Tim White and local dairy farmer Randy Davis were on hand for the event.

“The dairy farmers of Tennessee are proud to be a part of the Titans of Taste contest,” said Davis, President of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee. “It’s great to see students get excited about milk.”

As the contest’s grand prize winner, North Coffee Elementary took home a cash prize of $5,000. The school, which increased milk consumption by 41 percent in October, will also host a pep rally with a Titans player, T-Rac (the Titans mascot) and the Titans cheerleaders.

Cash prizes of $3,000 and Vitamix XL smoothie blenders (valued at $2,000) were presented to the first place winners at Hillsboro Elementary (Coffee County), Linden Middle School (Perry County) and Smyrna West Alternative High School (Rutherford County). As the winner of the video contest, Brentwood High School (Williamson County) was awarded $1,500 and eight tickets to a future Titans game.

“For me, it is easy to be a part of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program,” Mariani said. “Eating healthy foods and being active are parts of my life. I wish that there had been a contest like this when I was in school.”

Participating schools consumed over 985,000 8-ounce servings (or the equivalent of 13 tanker trucks) of milk over the contest period. In all, school participation increased by 62 percent and overall milk volume increased by 50 percent.

SUDIA Schools Awarded Grab and Go Grants

The National Dairy Council and the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) have partnered with Leprino Foods to extend Fuel Up to Play 60 Grab and Go program grants to 19 schools in the SUDIA region, demonstrating a continued commitment to child health and wellness.

The six elementary schools in Kentucky receiving the awards were Tates Creek, Meadowthorpe, Clays Mill, Winburn, Julius Marks and Lincoln. The five elementary schools in North Carolina receiving the awards were Douglass, Huntsville, Monroeton, Stoneville and Williamsburg. The four high schools in Tennessee receiving the awards were Bearden, Central, Fulton and West. The four schools in Virginia receiving the awards were Hickory High, Great Bridge Middle, Deep Creek Elementary and Moss Nuckols Elementary.

By specifically targeting Grab and Go breakfast, lunch and other meal occasions, this new partnership and grant program will help schools improve or add sustainable, alternative service options. Schools looking to implement or expand Grab and Go programs will be awarded up to $1,500 in funding through the grant program. The Fuel Up to Play 60 Grab and Go pilot generated a 10 percent point increase in average daily participation in test schools. This success paved the way for this expansion to more schools.

“We are honored to work with Leprino Foods to help bring new innovative ways to serve nutritious breakfast and lunch options in schools and to provide students with the options make healthy choices,” said Jean H. Ragalie, RD, president of National Dairy Council, the organization behind Fuel Up to Play 60. “In this time of economic challenges and time constraints, it is more important than ever to make it easy to eat healthy and stay active within any type of budget in any school district.”

The Grab and Go program is open to schools in the United States that participate in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs and are enrolled in the National Dairy Council’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program for the 2012-13 school year. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a partnership between the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to empower youth to take action to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health.

Council on School Health visits New Orleans school

The Council on School Health from the American Academy of Pediatrics joined Samuel J. Green Charter School (Green) for lunch Thursday.

Fifteen pediatricians from across the country attending the American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Conference in New Orleans experienced first-hand what’s cooking at Green during National School Lunch Week. Along with seeing the school’s edible classroom garden and hands-on cooking lab, pediatricians learned about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

“With the positive changes that have been made in the school lunch program and the Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative, students are given the opportunity to learn how to stay healthy and active in school and at home,” said school program account manager for The Southeast United Dairy Association Terry Charles.

As part of the visit, New Orleans Saints mascot Sir Saint encouraged students to fuel up with nutrient-rich foods including dairy so they can participate in 60 minutes of exercise each day.

“The Fuel up to Play 60 program brings excitement and enthusiasm to healthy eating. The strong nutrition message and student engagement works well with kids,” said April Neujean, health and wellness manager for FirstLine Schools.

Commissioner of Ag has Breakfast in the Classroom

Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Johnson joined students of Hickman Elementary School for Breakfast in the Classroom today. Former Tennessee Titans star Blaine Bishop, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Fred Carr and Nutrition Services Director Spencer Taylor also participated in the event, which showcased Hickman’s Breakfast in the Classroom program.

“So many of our students do not have daily access to healthy meals,” said Chief Operating Officer Fred Carr. “We all know breakfast is important, but for our young students, it is imperative. They need proper nutrients and fuel to stay focused and perform their best. Breakfast in the Classroom is doing just that.”
According to Hickman Principal Dr. Dorothy Critchlow, student participation has risen nearly 500 percent since the launch of the program. The visit gave school and Metro Davidson County officials the opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new breakfast programs implemented as a result of the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program and the dairy farm families of Tennessee.

New breakfast cooler bags, which have been purchased for 11 Metro elementary schools, have allowed nutrition services staff to offer students breakfast options in the classroom. A la carte options in the cafeteria and healthy offer flavored milk vending machines are also being utilized because of the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program.

Studies show that breakfast helps to combat childhood obesity and encourages healthy eating. Students who do not eat breakfast miss 25 percent of their daily nutrition. Breakfast in the Classroom has allowed several Nashville Public Schools the chance to provide a variety of breakfast options to every student.

“I want to commend the participating schools and our dairy farmers for helping to raise awareness of the importance of healthy food choices in our schools,” said Commissioner Julius Johnson with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. “We’re proud to join with SUDIA in making wholesome dairy products more available to students through our Ag Enhancement program.”

For more information about Tennessee produced and processed dairy products, visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s marketing website at www.picktnproducts.org.

SUDIA educational video featured on GPB blog

The Southeast Dairy Association educational video Moo Moo Moo - A Healthy You was recently featured on the Georgia Public Broadcasting's (GPB) Family Blog. Columnist Heather Neal points out the video's effective musical tune and dairy message:

"The song and video teach children about where their milk comes from and about the nutritional benefits of getting a healthy intake of dairy."

Check it out for yourself here!

Fairhope Intermediate earns FUTP60 smoothie grant

Fairhope Intermediate School has been honored as a recipient of a $2,000 Fuel Up to Play 60 Smoothie Grant.

The Fuel Up to Play 60 program offers participating schools the opportunity to win awards to help support implementation of smoothie programs. The grant helped Fairhope purchase the new Vitamix Extra Large Capacity Blender System. The new system will help the school streamline its smoothie initiative.

“We had a lot of positive feedback form the students after they sampled the smoothie. They were excited to learn that it would be a new item available for breakfast,” said Fairhope Child Nutrition manager Jennifer Banks. “Offering items that kids like will encourage them to eat breakfast.”

Studies show that breakfast helps to combat childhood obesity and encourages healthy eating. Students who do not eat breakfast miss 25 percent of their daily nutrition. A single smoothie provides significant daily levels of calcium (30 percent), Vitamin D (25 percent) and protein (16 percent).

Smooth and Smart, a dairy promotion established by the Southeast Dairy Association in conjunction with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, offers participating schools the materials to begin implementing the program. The program increases the overall dairy consumption at schools while treating students to healthy and enjoyable beverages. Find out more about Smooth and Smart on www.southeastdairy.org.

Five schools Earn General Mills grants

Five schools from the Southeast Dairy Association (SUDIA) territory were honored with General Mills Foodservice Awards in the Fuel Up Breakfast Program.

The five schools receiving awards in the SUDIA district were Riverside Middle (Pendleton, S.C.), Broad Creek Middle (Newport, S.C.), White Oak Elementary (Cape Carteret, N.C.), Ardrey Kell High (Charlotte, N.C.) and Myrtle Grove Middle (Wilmington, N.C.).

“A healthy breakfast is essential for students to fuel up and be at their best,” said Jean H. Ragalie, RD, president of the National Dairy Council. “We’re honored to work with organizations like General Mills Foodservice to make healthier meals accessible to students at schools.”

The grants, which range up to $2,000 per school, will be utilized to add programs that serve students breakfast outside of the cafeteria. Among the planned programs are breakfast in the classroom, grab-and-go kiosks and second chance breakfast after first period.

“We are thrilled to help support schools in their efforts to get more kids to eat breakfast,” said Alyca Judge, K-12 marketing manager, General Mills Foodservice. “The Fuel Up Breakfast grants provide a springboard for schools to implement alternative breakfast programs or expand their existing program with the goal of improving breakfast participation and student access to quality foods.”

Learning Summit kicks off in D.C.

The 2012 Nutrition and Physical Activity Learning Connection Summit kicked off Tuesday with a schedule full of exciting physical activities. National Football League stars Kurt Warner, Ray Rice, Darrel Green and London Fletcher led a room full of Fuel Up to Play 60 students, parents, program advisors, educators and health professionals through activities. Participants had options of fueling up after with yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal and other nutrient rich foods.

Get the entire story: Fueling Up and Getting Active at GENYOUth's Nutrition & Physical Activity Night

United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan shared his thoughts with the Learning Connection Summit attendees on the summit’s importance and efforts from GENYOUth, the National Dairy Council and programs like Fuel Up to Play 60.

Get the entire story: Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education, Speaks at Learning Connection

White House Chef Sam Kass spoke with Time about healthy eating. Kass mentioned that consuming more low-fat dairy is among the simplest beneficial changes American families can make to their diets. Kass also mentioned the benefits of having low-fat yogurt for breakfast.

Get the entire story: Time Healthland Q&A with White House Chef Sam Kass

"Team Tiger Day" celebrated at Georgia Capitol

Tiger Greene, a Fuel Up to Play 60 National Student Ambassador from Alpharetta, Ga. was honored Thursday morning for his work in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Gov. Nathan Deal signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 19 Team Tiger Day in Georgia. With September being National Childhood Obesity Month, the proclamation noted Tiger’s work to slow the epidemic.

Greene, who attended the Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador's Summit in Washington, D.C., this summer, has worked to get more students and schools involved in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. “The sky is the limit when you have a healthier and more active lifestyle,” the 15-year-old said.

The Student Ambassador Program is open to all students that are actively engaged in Fuel Up to Play 60. Students may apply in September to become a Student Ambassador for the 2013-14 school year at FuelUpToPlay60.com. Visit Fuel Up to Play 60 for more information on the program.

Marilyn Easter celebrated by Southern Farm Network

Marilyn Easter, the wife of SUDIA Board of Directors President Glen, was recently featured in an article posted by the Southern Farm Network. The article was part of a series celebrating Women in Agriculture.

It’s not a common practice, and especially wasn’t in the 1970’s, and that’s moving a diary farm. Marilyn Easter and her husband Glen own EastGlen Farm, near Laurens, SC. Back in the late 70’s, they moved their all registered Jersey milking herd from Vermont to South Carolina. Easter tells of the experience: “It was a major move in which Glen actually asked me ‘Do you want to stay in Vermont or go to South Carolina to get the farm ready?’. I opted to come to South Carolina and get the farm ready. It took me two months as a single individual down here while he kept the farm going in Vermont and got it sold.” And the major reasons for making the move: “Two of the major reasons would be weather and the all Jersey milk market that was in South Carolina at that time.” Download the full article.

SUDIA Student Ambassador joins select group

When it comes to the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) program, Elizabeth Ann Winebarger continues to raise the bar. 

Winebarger, a Student Ambassador from Elizabethtown, Ky., has been selected as one of seven students representing FUTP60 at the Nutrition and Physical Activity Learning Connection Summit in Washington, D.C., later this month. This past summer, Winebarger was one of six students representing the Southeast Dairy Association region at the Student Ambassador Summit.

The Learning Connection Summit will bring together leaders and decision makers in education, health and nutrition, academia, government and policy at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Crystal City. The conference is hosted by GenYOUth, the National Dairy Council, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American School Health Association.

Winebarger and her colleagues will be attending a leadership roundtable, participating in a fitness break with NFL Alumni Players and collaborating with celebrity chef Carla Hall of the ABC daytime program “The Chew” on an informal on-stage segment.

Tennessee Titans, Purity Dairies and SUDIA team up for milk contest

The Tennessee Titans have teamed up with the Southeast Dairy Association and Purity Dairies to sponsor the “Titans of Taste” milk contest.

The six-week long competition is a joint program sponsored by the Tennessee Titans, Purity Dairies and the Southeast Dairy Association (SUDIA). As part of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, the “Titans of Taste” contest aims to promote the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle among the region’s youth. Incentives, resources and tools provided by SUDIA encourage students to choose healthier foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy foods.

“Schools, together with parents, families and communities, all play an important role in shaping healthy behavior patterns in children. We truly hope the effects of this contest will continue on throughout the school year and beyond,” said Tennessee Dairy Association president Tony White.

The grand prize will be awarded to the school with the highest percentage of milk consumption. The $5,000 prize package is awarded to support the winning school’s Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative. The award also includes a pep rally with the Titans cheerleaders, team mascot and a current or former player. Three second place winners will receive $3,000 worth of Fuel Up to Play 60 awards as well as industrial blenders to increase the schools smoothie program.

“The contest has enabled us to be involved in our communities by promoting the healthiest, best tasting product there is – milk!” said Purity Dairies vice president Tim White.

SUDIA, Purity and the Titans have joined forces on “Titans of Taste” since 2006. The annual contest gives participating schools the chance to promote involvement in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Traditionally limited to the 75-mile radius around the Titans’ LP Field, the NFL expanded the contest to include all of Purity’s distribution territory. Now, schools in Northern Alabama and Southern Kentucky are represented in the contest.

“We are elated to have schools in Kentucky and Alabama join the contest,” said Tony White. “Any opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life is an opportunity worth taking.”

SUDIA joins Atlanta Public Schools, others at Girls Day of Play

Grady Stadium played host to the first annual Girls Day of Play. A joint effort between Atlanta Public Schools and a number of local organizations, the Day of Play was designed to encourage and educate students about nutrition and the benefits of physical activity.

Over 400 APS middle school students came together August 24th in the first annual APS Girls Day of Play. Atlanta Public Schools, whose mission is to improve student achievement and increase community engagement, partnered with the Southeast Dairy Association (SUDIA), Fuel Up to Play 60, GenYOUth Foundation, Sporty Girls, Inc., and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! Atlanta Program to coordinate the event.

“I was so pleased to see teenage girls doing sports, some that many may have never done. It brought joy to my heart to see them enjoying it,” said Sporty Girls Inc. founder Rashan Ali.

The number of female athletes is shrinking rapidly. According to the latest statistics, girls drop out of sports at double the rate of their male counterparts. Only eight percent of middle school girls in the Atlanta School District participate in sports. The numbers within APS are dire, with only 15 percent of middle school girls participating in school sports.

“The Day of Play offered students the chance to realize the opportunities and enjoyment that sports offer. We hope that the Day of Play was able to make a lasting impression on these girls,” said SUDIA school program account manager Rashida Shoemaker.                                                         

There is a direct correlation between physical activity and nutrition. Only two percent of all youth get adequate servings from all food groups and only 30 percent consume the recommended servings from the dairy group. Almost 77 percent of children ages 9-19 do not meet the recommendations of three daily servings of dairy. The Day of Play offered students a chance to learn about the benefits of fitness and nutrition. Women’s National Basketball Association analyst LaChina Robinson closed the event with an inspiring keynote address.

Local farmer joins National Dairy Board of Directors

Zach Myers, a third generation dairy farmer from Jonesville, North Carolina, was elected secretary of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board of Directors this past June.

The 38-member National Dairy Board, formed in May 1984 under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, carries out coordinated promotion and research programs to help build demand and expand domestic and international markets for dairy products.

"I’m proud to be representing the dairy farmers of our nation on the National Dairy Board”, said Zach Myers.  “As secretary of  the National Dairy Board, I hope to help provide direction and insight to further our national dairy check-off program and not only benefit our nation’s dairy farm families, but to also benefit the health of our great nation."

Myers also serves as vice president of the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Board of Directors and as a member of the Dairy Farmer Spokesperson Network, where he communicates to the media on behalf of dairy farmers across the Southeast.

FUTP60 summit rewards student leaders

The National Football League, a longtime element of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, joined forces with the student leaders of participating schools to host the Student Ambassador Summit in Washington D.C. from July 11-14. The summit, which focused on tackling the nation’s childhood obesity issue, featured six of the Southeast United Dairy Industry Associations Fuel Up to Play 60’s leaders, as well as a number of current and former NFL players.

A’Myah Ross (Rock Hill, South Carolina), Elizabeth Ann Winebarger (Elizabethtown, Kentucky), Jack Grove (Greensboro, North Carolina), Jacob Lindsey (Hoover, Alabama), Samuel Caudill (Glade Spring, Virginia), and Tiger Greene (Alpharetta, Georgia) represented SUDIA at the summit. Chosen from thousands of applicants nationwide, the ambassadors were part of a collection of activities aimed at advancing the success of FUTP 60.

Among the highlights of the summit were a NFL fitness session, media and nutrition training, and discussions on how to improve the program Playbook.

 

5 Ways MyPlate can help you lose weight

If you're looking to lose weight, MyPlate may be your perfect ally. The Healthy Times Blog outlines five reasons why MyPlate may be just the program you need.

1. Divide And Conquer
2. Mind Your Calories
3. Fill Up On Fresh Produce
4. Go Get Your Grains
5. Partner With Proteins

Kentucky officially celebrates June Dairy Month

The Kentucky dairy industry was honored for its accomplishments as Agriculture Commissioner James Comer officially proclaimed June as Dairy Month.

“I hope every Kentuckian will join me in saluting Kentucky’s hard-working dairy farm families,” said Commissioner Comer. “They provide the milk and other dairy products that we all depend on. And they do it every day. A dairy cow never takes a day off.”

Kentucky’s dairy industry generated an estimated $760 million in economic activity last year with 850 dairies producing nearly 1.1 billion pounds of fluid milk, placing Kentucky 27^th in the nation.

Weight of the Union

SUDIA's Tracy Noerper discusses the health costs of the obesity epidemic with WKYT-TV in Kentucky, and provides practical steps to make a big impact on the scale.

Gold medal diet: Eat like an Olympian

According to the BBC News, The London 2012 Olympic Village is expected to go through 2,000 gallons of milk, 25,000 loaves of bread, 232 tons of potatoes and more than 330 tons of fruits and vegetables over the course of the Olympic Games. Learn what the 200 million Americans expected to watch the Summer Olympics can about how to refuel and rehydrate from all-star athletes in this Samford Crimson article.

Weighty situation

In the same way the President of the United States give his State of the Union address, The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association is giving its Weight of the Union address. The campaign, aimed at helping Americans shed some pounds and tighten their waistlines, is one that is inspired by the upcoming presidential elections. Read Mary Martin Nordness' interview with The Times Daily.

Virginia marks June as Dairy Month

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has proclaimed June as Dairy Month in Virginia. Learn more in the Augusta Free Press.

Healthy eating, activity earn Tennessee elementary school honors

Students at Crab Orchard Elementary have been eating better and getting more activity during the past school year. Those efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards for school health. Read more in the Crossville Chronicle.

Metro schools receive funding for wellness programs

WKRN-TV Nashville spotlights six area schools that received funding from the Southeast Dairy Association and the Dairy Farm Families of the Southeast to jumpstart and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity programs.