The Dairy Alliance Receives All-Star Award at 2017 Healthy Georgia Awards

October 4, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2017 For more information, contact: The Dairy Alliance Contact: Joel Hall – [email protected] - (470) 226-3005 [caption id="attachment_35217" align="alignright" width="300"] Staff members Sharon Rhodes (left) and Molly Szymanski accepted the Healthy Georgia Award on behalf of The Dairy Alliance.[/caption] ATLANTA, Georgia – Healthy Kids Georgia, the Georgia SHAPE program, and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) recognized The Dairy Alliance with the prestigious All-Star Award during the 2017 Healthy Georgia Awards. The presentation and ceremony took place on Oct. 3 at the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta. The Dairy Alliance was among nine Georgia organizations recognized for their successful efforts in childhood health and wellness. The Healthy Georgia Awards are given annually by the State of Georgia to non-profits, municipalities and school districts performing extraordinary work to promote and execute youth health and wellness in the state. The All-Star Award recognized The Dairy Alliance as an organization “working at the forefront of Georgia’s health and wellness movement” and was presented by Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Georgia DPH Commissioner and Director of Health Protection J. Patrick O’Neal, M.D. The Dairy alliance works across the Southeast to promote healthy eating and physical activity, most notably through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, a partnership between the National Football League (NFL) and the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the nation’s largest in-school health and wellness program. The Dairy Alliance, with the backing of southeast dairy farm [caption id="attachment_35216" align="alignright" width="300"] Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (left) and DPH Commissioner J. Patrick O’Neal (right) present the Healthy Georgia All-Star Award to The Dairy Alliance staffer Sharon Rhodes (center).[/caption] families, has granted nearly $1 million since 2009 to schools in Georgia to assist with menu development, cafeteria and playground enhancements, school breakfast and breakfast-in-the-classroom programs, walking clubs and more. “The Dairy Alliance is more than thrilled to accept this prestigious award,” said The Dairy Alliance Chief Operating Officer Molly Szymanski. “We know that hunger and physical inactivity have a direct impact on the academic success and quality of life of students, so we work hard to give schools the support they need to strengthen school breakfast programs, improve healthy eating options and get students active for at least 60 minutes a day. This award serves as an affirmation that what we are doing is making an impact in Georgia.” Currently, 71 percent (2,118) of Georgia schools are enrolled in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, impacting more 1.6 million students. ###About The Dairy Alliance: On behalf of dairy farm families, the non-profit The Dairy Alliance works with schools, health professionals, retailers, dairy processors and the public to promote dairy foods. 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), 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 more nutritious options. 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, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student contests.