WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Dannon Danimals, the leading yogurt brand for kids, and Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation’s largest in-school wellness program, announced a first-ever collaboration between the two NFL sponsors aimed at inspiring kids to fuel up with nutritious choices and get active for at least 60 minutes a day.
Focused around a national retail promotion, parents and kids across the country are encouraged to go on an adventure in search of one of six “golden” Danimals Bongo bottles and/or Danimals Squeezable lowfat yogurts for a chance to win a field day for their school with NFL Players. As part of its mission to bring health through nourishing foods to as many people as possible, Dannon is awarding a total of $30,000 to the winning schools ($5,000 each) to implement the Fuel Up to Play 60 program to help make their schools and communities healthier environments.
“Dannon’s commitment to childhood health and wellness begins with providing healthful options for our children and encouraging all Americans -- young and old -- to enjoy yogurt every day as part of a healthy diet,” said Art D’Elia, Vice President, Marketing at The Dannon Company. “Encouraging active play is also central to the DNA of the Danimals brand so we are thrilled and proud of the collaboration with Fuel Up to Play 60. The program allows us to continue to help families and communities understand the unmatched benefits of physical activity and nourishing foods like low-fat and nonfat yogurts and smoothies. We are excited to celebrate with the winners as they find the winning Danimals Bongos and win a field day for their school!”
“As the nation's largest and most successful school health and wellness program, Fuel Up to Play 60 empowers youth in more than 73,000 schools nationwide to create healthy changes to their educational environments, and to improve students’ nutrition and physical activity habits,” said Mark Leitner, Executive Vice President, Fuel Up to Play 60. “We are thankful that our strong relationship with the NFL has helped establish this exciting collaboration with Dannon that will extend the program’s positive impact, and help us in our quest to build a healthy, high-achieving generation of youth.”
A total of 19 million packages of Danimals Smoothies and Danimals Squeezables lowfat yogurt will highlight the promotion to find the six “Golden Bongos,” the much beloved Danimals character. Food retailers nationwide have started to receive products in stores and the search for the “Golden Bongos” will be active through November. The local Field Days with NFL Players will occur in spring 2016 for the winning students and their schools.
Danimals and Fuel Up to Play 60 are launching a national television advertisement to bring the promotion and epic school field day prize to life. The ad features NFL players MATT RYAN, Atlanta Falcons quarterback, and ODELL BECKHAM, JR., New York Giants wide receiver, along with Disney stars ROWAN BLANCHARD of Girl Meets World, and JAKE SHORT of Mighty Med. The ad will air across Disney XD, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network channels in addition to Hulu, ABC Family and other digital channels.
“America’s dairy farmers have been dedicated to the health of our nation’s children for 100 years and today we continue that commitment by empowering a healthier generation with Fuel Up to Play 60,” said Dr. Jill Nicholls, Vice President Nutrition Affairs of National Dairy Council. “Physical activity, in combination with good nutrition, is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Through our collaboration with Dannon, Fuel Up to Play 60 will reach even more families, teachers, and community members to help build healthy habits and foster a culture of wellness.”
Created in partnership by the National Football League and National Dairy Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 creates real transformational change in more than 73,000 schools nationwide. As a result of the program, 13 million students are eating better by adding nutritious foods like low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains to their meals. Additionally, 16 million are getting more physically active before, during and after the school day.
*For more information about the promotion, visit: www.danimals.com/fueluptoplay60. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to participate or win. Purchase will not increase chances of winning.
About Dannon
Headquartered in White Plains, New York, Dannon has plants in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, West Jordan, UT, and Portland, OR, which make more than 200 different flavors, styles and sizes of cultured refrigerated and frozen dairy products to serve the diverse needs of its retail and foodservice customers. Dannon strives to bring health through food to as many people as possible via its wide offering of delicious and wholesome refrigerated and frozen yogurts. Dannon is a subsidiary of Danone, and Dannon is the top-selling brand of yogurt worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone. For more information, visit dannon.com.
About Danimals Smoothies/Squeezable Yogurts
Danimals Smoothies provide parents with easy, fun and nutritious choices that kids like. They are a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D to help build strong bones and regulate muscle function. Danimals Smoothies and Squeezables Lowfat yogurt contain no artificial colors or flavors and no high fructose corn syrup, and they are great tasting snacks for kids. Danimals Smoothies and Squeezables can be found in the dairy aisle of food stores nationwide.
About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization founded by dairy farmers and funded by the national dairy check off program, has been committed to research-based nutrition education and communications since its start in 1915. NDC is dedicated to bringing to life the dairy community’s shared vision of a healthy, happy, sustainable world – with science as its foundation. NDC’s staff of registered dietitians, researchers, and nutrition experts promote dairy’s role as part of a balanced diet, as well as educate people about the farm-to-table, table-to-farm connection. NDC has helped launch groundbreaking programs to benefit the health and wellness of children and adults, including Fuel Up to Play 60, which encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity each day. NDC has also helped launch the Future of Food Partnership and The Great American Milk Drive, which both address food insecurity in America. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org and www.DairyGood.org and follow NDC on Facebook and Twitter (@NtlDairyCouncil).
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), which was 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 nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 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 with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student contests. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.
