Once again this fall, Fuel Up to Play 60 and the NFL are coming together to support local schools and communities through the Hometown Grants program. The program will provide $10,000 per NFL club market ($320,000 total) in grant money to help school districts and/or individual schools facilitate sustainable physical activity and healthy eating improvements. These grants are a great opportunity for NFL Clubs and local Dairy Councils to collaborate and build stronger relationships while helping kids and communities "fuel greatness."

New Orleans Saints linebacker Michael Mauti visited Garvyille Magnet School on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Mauti spoke to students about the importance of eating right, interacted with students in football drills, signed autographs and even answered tough questions.

"The energy at this event and how much these students, parents and teachers really care about what they're doing is incredible," Mauti said. "For me as a local kid, now being ale to represent the Saints organization is continuing a legacy here. Any opportunity I'm able to get to be able to do this, it's really an amazing thing."

Mauti was on hand with SUDIA representative, Jen Duhon, to provide Garvyille Magnet School with their $10,000 check for health and physical improvements.

"A lot of times schools are underfunded especially when it comes to things that are going to improve their health both with physical education and nutrition," Duhon said. "Garyville Magnet was chosen because they have shown excellent leadership in Fuel up to Play 60 with their program advisor and they have pledged to be healthier by exercising daily and eating nutritious foods."

About Fuel Up to Play 60The NFL Play 60 campaign is designed to tackle childhood obesity by getting kids active through in school, afterschool and team-based programs. SUDIA and the Saints work together to help make wellness part of the game plan in Louisiana schools through the Play 60 campaign/Fuel Up to Play 60.  The program encourages schools to make healthy changes in students' eating habits and physical activity. 

Many schools lack the resources to execute school wellness and this is why the Southeast Dairy Association, on behalf of dairy farmer families, is proud to support schools in the fight for healthier kids with the opportunities for Fuel Up to Play 60 schools to write for grants to kick-off or enhance their wellness plan in their schools. 

The funds from the Hometown Grants can be utilized by the receiving schools in many ways to optimize healthy eating and physical activity based on local needs and interests. This could range from vending machine wraps to support smart snacking, improving school breakfasts and summer feeding programs to physical activity equipment.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council, the Southeast Dairy Association and the NFL. It's all about getting students to 'Fuel Up' with nutrient-rich foods missing from their diets, like low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and to 'get-up and play' for 60 minutes a day.