December 2011 Highlights « Back

Fuel Up to Play 60 in Iowa

The Iowa Academy of Family Physicians board of directors has signed on to support the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. More than 100 family physicians attended the group’s annual meeting, stopping by the Midwest Dairy Council booth to fill out a Fuel Up to Play 60 survey for a chance to win a signed NFL jersey. The executive vice president, Pam Williams, and president, Dr. Skinner, indicated Midwest Dairy Council had supported their membership for years and built a very credible reputation in Iowa, and the Fuel Up to Play 60 program fits with their mission. Several physicians now have a better understanding of the program and are very eager to share it with the school in their community or their patients. Participants at the meeting also gained valuable information on the flavored milk reformulations for schools and how dairy can fit the diets of lactose intolerant patients.

More than 200 Iowa dietitians and dietetic students attended the annual Iowa Dietetic Association meeting in West Des Moines in November, where Midwest Dairy Council sponsored Dr. Debra Sullivan to speak on Fuel Up to Play 60.  A panel of Fuel Up to Play 60 leaders included Monica Lursen, the executive director for association and health professional advocate for Waverly-Shell Rock Schools; Kristie Kuhse, Waverly-Shell Rock program advisor; and Courtney Downing, a seventh-grade student from Goodrell Middle School in Des Moines and a local student ambassador. The panel was a hit, with Courtney getting a standing ovation!

Midwest Dairy also helped coordinate two breakout sessions that showcased success stories in Iowa around Kids Eat Right, Fuel Up to Play 60 and physical activity. The first breakout was called Bringing Kids Eat Right to Life; Showcasing School Nutrition, and included sampling of some new innovative recipes that Southeast Polk implemented as a result of its Midwest Dairy’s Fuel Up to Play 60 funding.  The second breakout centered on physical activity, and a physical education instructor and Fuel Up to Play 60 program advisor provided a snapshot how his school’s funds have been used.  The attendees were able to enjoy a nice workout using the HOPSports system.

Finally, Midwest Dairy also sponsored a yogurt parfait break and helped to coordinate Midwest-sourced cheese for the beer and cheese pairing session.  Thank you to Swiss Valley Farms, Maytag Farms and Friesian Farms for their generous donation of fabulous cheeses!

The Iowa Dietetic Association also signed the certificate of support for the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and was presented with a supporter football helmet plaque. The Iowa Nurse Practitioner Society signed the certificate of support and received its plaque during its annual membership conference. A booth at the event featured flavored milk, lactose intolerance and a survey that allowed visitors to sign up to win an NFL autographed helmet.

Twelve Iowa schools were recently awarded funding for Fuel Up to Play 60. The schools applied for the competitive funding in October and were recently notified of the award.  They include:

• Burlington James Madison Middle School
• Des Moines Cowles Elementary
• Des Moines Goodrell Middle School
• Iowa City Hills Elementary
• Cedar Rapids Private Trinity Lutheran School
• Sioux City East High School
• Southeast Polk Spring Creek Sixth Grade
• Tipton Elementary
• Tipton Middle School
• Tipton High School
• Waverly-Shell Rock Margaretta Carey Elementary
• Waverly-Shell Rock Junior High School

Funding can be used for a range of nutrition, physical activity and kick-off events, assisting schools to meet their wellness policy goals around nutrition. One school is taste-testing healthy foods that can be incorporated into the school menu and educating students about the farmers who produce their foods. In another, smoothies are being made with low-fat dairy and fruits to enhance the breakfast program. Salad bars are being added to some schools to give healthier options for children, with low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grain offerings.

Other Iowa Updates

Nikki Stahr, your registered dietitian serving Iowa, conducted an interview with Carrie Miller, Food Bank of Iowa director, on Star 102 in Des Moines in November. The interview was part of the Combat Hunger encampment food drive and announced the Iowa dairy producers’ donation of $10,000 to the Food Bank of Iowa to purchase nutrient-rich milk, cheese and yogurt for the holiday food baskets that are delivered to Iowans in need.

The steering committee for the Iowa Dairy Industry Outlook initiative met again in November. Every committee has made progress in defining its next steps. To better define the work of the past few months and to pinpoint an appropriate identity, the group agreed to change the name of this long-term initiative to Dairy Iowa. The mission statement is as follows: Be a unifying effort to support and promote Iowa’s dairy farmers, industry, community and consumers.  Within this mission the vision includes the following items:

• Ensure a diversity of successful, profitable dairy farmers whose sustainable systems allow them to take the best possible care of their animals and the land;
• Strengthen Iowa’s communities and economy with a thriving, innovative dairy industry;
• Build trust with Iowa consumers leaders and legislators;
• Develop and deliver a widening array of wholesome, delicious and convenient products that will increase dairy consumption and improve the nutrition, health and fitness of dairy consumers; and
• Conduct leading-edge research, offer top-notch education and develop innovative technologies that will benefit all sectors of Iowa’s dairy industry.

The committee is also working on how to keep the initiatives moving forward, including planning, budgeting and securing funding.