Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Programs at San Diego Unified School District Awarded $20,000 through Fuel Up to Play 60

October
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2016

SAN DIEGO (October 27, 2016) – San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) was presented with $20,000 in financial and in-kind resources from Real California Milk, representing the state’s dairy families, the San Diego Chargers and the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (NFFSN) to expand student health and wellness in schools throughout the area. The $10,000 ‘Hometown Grant’ came from a partnership between California dairy families and the San Diego Chargers through the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) program and was matched by the NFFSN in support of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program’s 60th anniversary celebration. The $20,000 donation was made during an October 25th event at John Logan K-8 School.

"Our district prides itself in the dedication of staff and parents to ensure that our students are being provided healthy eating and physical activity on a daily basis," said Scott Giusti, San Diego Unified School District Director of Athletics, PE and Health. "Knowing that every step is a step in the right direction, the $20,000 in resources will be put to use for not only physical education equipment but also on ways to increase healthy eating habits for our students.”

The ‘Hometown Grant’ and match means students in the San Diego Unified School District will join the 13 million students who are eating healthier, 16 million students who are being more active and 130,000 adults who are enrolled and empowering youth in the United States through one national program – Fuel Up to Play 60[1] (FUTP 60).

“Dairy is such a vital source of nutrients for kids and we are proud to award one of the largest urban districts in the United States with this Hometown Grant,” said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications for the California Milk Advisor Board/Real California Milk. “Our dairy families are dedicated to building healthy kids and families and hope the $20,000 in financial and in-kind resources will help inspire students to making healthy habits – including smart food choices and physical activity – to fuel their brains and bodies.”

Developed by FUTP 60 and the National Football League (NFL), the ‘Hometown Grant’ program provides teams and their partners like Real California Milk with the opportunity to identify deserving schools and school districts and provide them with funding to help meet health and wellness goals.

“It is always great partnering with San Diego Unified School District and California’s dairy families to make a positive impact on the next generation and our local community,” said Kimberley Layton, Director of Public Affairs & Corporate/Community Relations for the San Diego Chargers “We strive to be a part of programs like FUTP 60 as they touch upon not only the physical activity beginning at a younger age but also stress the important role that nutrition plays in growing bodies and athletics.”

Each of the 32 NFL Clubs, Fuel Up to Play 60 and local dairy representatives are providing $10,000 grants in communities throughout the country totaling a $320,000 investment in youth health and wellness. For the 2016 season, the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition is matching the NFL’s donation of $10,000 in resources to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the President’s Council of Fitness, Sports and Nutrition which is the nation’s youth fitness education and assessment program.

Created in partnership by the NFL and National Dairy Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school wellness program creating real transformational change in more than 73,000 schools nationwide. The national in-school nutrition and physical-activity program is activated in California by the state’s more than 1,300 dairy farm families. Since fall 2014, FUTP 60 has helped to award more than $430,000 in grants to schools throughout California in support of their wellness goals.

About the San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers originated as the Los Angeles Chargers of the American Football League in 1960.  The team relocated to San Diego in 1961 and captured the American Football League championship in 1963.  It finished first in five of the 10 AFL seasons.  Since joining the National Football League when the two leagues merged in 1970, the Chargers have won 11 AFC West division titles, including five titles in the last 12 seasons (2004-15).  Overall, the team has played in 28 playoff games.  The Chargers were purchased by construction leader and real estate developer Alex G. Spanos in 1984 and has been under the guidance of Spanos’ eldest son Dean, the team’s current Chairman of the Board, since 1994.  That same season the team won the AFC Championship and played in Super Bowl XXIX.  All Chargers games are annually the highest-rated television programming in San Diego.  The Chargers play their home games at Qualcomm Stadium and the Spanos family, nationally renowned as one of San Diego’s and the NFL’s most philanthropic families, has invested millions of dollars in an effort to secure a new Super Bowl-quality, multi-use venue for San Diego.

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). 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. The program additionally 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 and are getting more physically active during the school day. 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 National Foundation on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition

The National Foundation on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition believes that the strongest America is one where every citizen has the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle. As the official foundation of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, the National Foundation is the only congressionally chartered nonprofit with the sole focus to help more Americans be active, play sports & eat healthy. Through private donations and partnerships, the Foundation supports programs and initiatives that educate, engage, and empower Americans of all backgrounds and abilities to adopt a healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit fitness.foundation.


  1.  https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/