WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Dannon® Danimals®, the leading yogurt brand for kids, and Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation’s largest in-school wellness program, announced the winners of their national retail collaboration. Created to fuel healthy changes for youth, the partnership was launched last fall to encourage families and communities to search for one of six “golden” Danimals Bongo bottles and/or Danimals Squeezable low-fat yogurts for the chance to win a field day for their school with NFL Players.
With more than 19 million packages of Smoothies and Squeezable low-fat yogurts sold at retailers across the country, and through fun and engaging content, Dannon and Fuel Up to Play 60 helped inspire kids to fuel up with nutritious foods and to get active for at least 60 minutes a day.
“As the largest yogurt maker in the country, we are so proud to be part of an initiative that helps kids benefit from physical activity and nourishing foods like low-fat yogurt,” said Steve Platt, Vice President, Marketing at The Dannon Company. “That’s why we are excited to celebrate with the winners and look forward to hearing their stories about their search for the ‘golden’ bongo.”
The six winning schools will each receive a field day event that will include physical fitness activities and drills, along with fun nutrition information and Danimals samples. Students and teachers will receive the opportunity to hear from and interact with NFL players. Dannon will also provide a total of $30,000 to the winning schools ($5,000 each) to help support health and wellness programs.
“Fuel Up to Play 60 empowers youth in more than 73,000 schools nationwide to live healthier lifestyles and through partnerships such as this one with Dannon Danimals we are educating even more kids about how to improve nutrition and physical activity habits,” said Mark Leitner, Executive Vice President, Fuel Up to Play 60.
The winning schools came from locations across the country and the field days will be held throughout the spring. Winning schools include:
- Alfred E. Burr Elementary School (Hartford, Conn.)
- J.C. Sawyer Elementary School (Elizabeth City, N.C.)
- John C. Myers Elementary School (Broadway, Va.)
- Martin G. Atkins Elementary School (Saginaw, Mich.)
- Roseway Heights School (Portland, Ore.)
- Weymouth Township Elementary School (Dorothy, N.J.)
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 schools nationwide. As a result of the program, 13 million students are eating better by adding nutritious foods like low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains to their meals. Additionally, 16 million are getting more physically active before, during and after the school day.
*No purchase or payment of any kind was necessary to participate or win. Purchase did not increase chances of winning.
About The Dannon Company
Headquartered in White Plains, New York, Dannon makes yogurt in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, West Jordan, UT, and Portland, OR, and offers more than 200 different flavors, styles and sizes of cultured refrigerated and frozen dairy products to serve the diverse needs of its retail and foodservice customers. Dannon brings health through food to as many people as possible via its wide offering of delicious and wholesome fresh and frozen yogurts. Dannon is committed to encouraging Americans to eat one yogurt every day as a simple step with a convenient, popular and nutrient dense food that can help Americans achieve healthy dietary patterns.
Dannon is a subsidiary of Danone, and Danone is the leading maker of yogurt worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone. For more information, visit dannon.com.
About Danimals Smoothies/Squeezable Yogurts
Danimals Smoothies provide parents with easy, fun and nutritious choices that kids like. They are a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D to help build strong bones and regulate muscle function. Danimals Smoothies and Squeezables Low-fat yogurt contain no artificial colors or flavors and no high fructose corn syrup, and they are great tasting snacks for kids. Danimals Smoothies and Squeezables can be found in the dairy aisle of food stores nationwide.
About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization founded by dairy farmers and funded by the national dairy check off program, has been committed to research-based nutrition education and communications since its start in 1915. NDC is dedicated to bringing to life the dairy community’s shared vision of a healthy, happy, sustainable world – with science as its foundation. NDC’s staff of registered dietitians, researchers, and nutrition experts promote dairy’s role as part of a balanced diet, as well as educate people about the farm-to-table, table-to-farm connection. NDC has helped launch groundbreaking programs to benefit the health and wellness of children and adults, including Fuel Up to Play 60, which encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity each day. NDC has also helped launch the Future of Food Partnership and The Great American Milk Drive, which both address food insecurity in America. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org and www.DairyGood.org and follow NDC on Facebook and Twitter (@NtlDairyCouncil).
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, 13 million students are making better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, 16 million students are getting more physically active during the school day as a result of the program.
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.
