Meet with school athletic coaches, nutritional professionals, and the principal to get approval for your idea and to gain their support. Work with your school team to do some planning.

Meet with the school football coach, trainer or athletic director to talk about the benefits of athletes eating healthy, including getting the recommended servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt at breakfast, lunch, dinner and as snacks.

Ask the PE, health and classroom teachers to highlight the benefits of low-fat and fat-free dairy as a nutrient-rich food that provides energy students need to be active. Use the tools and resources below to highlight healthy eating options teachers can share with students.

Set Goals

Poll students to learn about their habits and set goals for everyone to get the recommended number of servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy each day for a month. Host a Kickoff event in the cafeteria to highlight the results and get students interested in participating and meeting the goals.

Work the Field

Work with your team to turn the cafeteria into a football field! Cover one end with green bulletin board paper and add white yard lines and markers to create a replica of a field, complete with goal posts. Include the school mascot and school name on the field. Laminate paper footballs or helmets that students can move down the field to track their progress in meeting the goal. Each time you move a football or a helmet, add photos of active students “fueling up,” and regularly add quotes from students talking about their successes.

Celebrate Success!

When you reach the touchdown marker, celebrate success with a Touchdown Tailgate Party or Spirit Day highlighting the importance of dairy in students’ diets for healthy and active lifestyles. Have students dress in their favorite team jersey/t-shirt.

Serve snacks of delicious, nutrient-rich dairy foods, including low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt and snack cheese. Consider including other healthy eating options for your party, including whole grain muffins and fresh fruit.

Sponsor a “Power Behind the Play” poster or essay contest wherein students demonstrate through words or art how low-fat and fat-free dairy helps to power their daily physical activities. Select winners from each grade and display the posters around the school and dining area. The winning essays can be included in the school newspaper or submitted to the local newspaper for publishing. Winning posters can be scanned and highlighted on the school website or on FuelUpToPlay60.com.

Everyone can help:

• Meet with key people who can help educate students about the benefits of dairy to an active lifestyle
• Set up and organize the poster/essay contest
• Organize the poll and help track student progress toward the goal
• Decorate the cafeteria
• Promote the program