CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Giving kids the inspiration, motivation and opportunity to stay active and eat right has never been more relevant than it is today. In fact, a recent study found only one in four adolescents gets enough exercise1, and less than one percent of kids are getting the daily recommended amount of whole grains in their diets.2 As part of its mission to fuel healthy families, The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., partnered with Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation's largest in-school wellness program, for the Make Your Move Video Contest and is donating a total of $125,000 to support getting kids moving and inspiring healthy habits in schools.
Through the Make Your Move Video Contest, Quaker and Fuel Up to Play 60 encouraged parents and teachers to submit a short video showcasing how their students get active for a chance to win a grant of up to $15,000 to support their school's health and wellness initiatives. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck served as a spokesperson for the contest and a relevant role model to inspire kids to eat right and get active.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2014, Andrew hosted a surprise, celebratory event for one of the lucky grand-prize winning schools - Mission Middle School in San Diego, California. Local NFL defensive end Kendall Reyes joined Andrew at the event to celebrate with students.
"I believe in the difference smart food choices and regular physical activity can make in kids' lives, and was thrilled to partner with Quaker and serve as a judge for the Make Your Move Video Contest," said Luck. "I have been so inspired by the students' creativity and passion for making changes to lead healthy and active lifestyles. I'm honored to help present the grant to Mission Middle School and check out their moves - maybe I'll even learn something for my next touchdown dance."
Mission Middle School will use the grant to purchase fitness equipment and nourishing snacks for a variety of programs in their school, such as the hip-hop dance club, which is committed to inspiring kids to stay active through music and dance. Prior to the grant, students paid out of their own pockets to cover dance club costs, but with the grant the school will now be able to provide new equipment. To view the Make Your Move video submission from Mission Middle School, and from all the winning schools, visit QuakerOats.com/makeyourmove.
Inspiring Kids to Get Moving
The Make Your Move Video Contest was one component of Fuel Up to Play 60's larger Make Your Move campaign. The campaign aims to motivate students, teachers, parents and community members to get active.
Created by the National Football League and National Dairy Council, which was founded by America's dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 empowers students to make healthy changes in more than 73,000 schools. As a result of the program, last year 14 million students made better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, 14 million students are getting more physically active because of this program.
Quaker's Commitment to Fueling Healthy Families
Quaker has been helping to fuel and inspire healthy families for the past 137 years by offering nourishing products, educating families on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and seeking partners that offer physical activity solutions. Partners like Fuel Up to Play 60 help continue that mission for years to come.
"As one of America's most trusted nourishment brands, Quaker has a responsibility to help inspire positive changes in the communities we serve," said Jose Luis Prado, president of Quaker Foods North America. "Through our continued partnerships with dynamic organizations like the GENYOUth Foundation, we can advance health and wellness in schools and inspire a healthier future."
Quaker also provides a variety of delicious, oat-based and innovative products that help deliver the energy families want, including Old-Fashioned Quaker Oats, Instant Quaker Oatmeal, Quaker Warm and Crunch Granola and Quaker Real Medleys Cups and Bars. For more information on Quaker products and programs, visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or www.Twitter.com/Quaker.
About The Quaker Oats Company
The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 130 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Holding leadership positions in their respective categories, Quaker® Oats, Quaker® Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy® Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on Twitter @Quaker.
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which is funded by America's dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-dense foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
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 challenges. 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 GENYOUth Foundation
Founded through an unprecedented public/private partnership with National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL) committed to child health and wellness, GENYOUth brings leaders in health, education, government and business together in a movement to help America's youth achieve a healthier future. The Foundation officially launched on February 4, 2011 at Super Bowl XLV with the signing of a historic six-way Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health & Human Services. GENYOUth empowers students to improve nutrition and physical activity by taking small steps to accelerate a lifetime of healthy changes. When youth are given a voice, change can happen. For more information, visit www.GENYOUthFoundation.org.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses - Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola - make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where we operate. For more information, please visitwww.pepsico.com.
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1 Center for Disease Control and Prevention, January 2014
2 U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 7th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, December 2010.
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