Stephen Gostkowksi celebrates National School Breakfast Week at the Edison School

BOSTON – New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski stopped by the Edison K-8 School in Brighton recently for a visit with students to highlight the importance of eating breakfast and getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. The visit, which coincided with National School Breakfast Week (March 8-12, 2010), also kicked off the New England Dairy & Food Council’s “Fuel Up to Play 60” program in the Boston Public Schools (BPS). 

The Edison was among 25 BPS schools to receive $1,000 “Fuel Up to Play 60” grants from the New England Dairy & Food Council to increase participation in the school breakfast program through improved marketing efforts. The “Fuel Up to Play 60” campaign encourages students to be active for at least 60 minutes everyday and to fuel their bodies with nutrient-rich foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. More than 90 BPS schools have signed up for “Fuel Up to Play 60” wellness kits filled with action strategies to promote school-wide wellness.

“While Boston does have high breakfast participation compared with other urban districts, we want to encourage more students to take advantage of the opportunity to start the day with a healthy meal,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “We know that good nutrition helps student perform well academically and we are grateful to the New England Dairy & Food Council and the Patriots for their support in raising awareness among students about the importance of eating nutritious meals and getting sufficient exercise.”

In a report released recently by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Boston was ranked third among urban school districts nationwide for participation in the school breakfast program, with a participation rate of 62.6% during the 2008-2009 school year. 

Seventy-four percent of BPS students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. In the past few years, the BPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services has launched efforts in conjunction with a number of partner organizations to increase participation in both the breakfast and lunch programs. BPS recently expanded the popular Chefs-in-Schools Program, which puts Executive Chef Kirk Conrad in schools to revamp menus, and added more fresh fruits and vegetables to the menu through the Farm-to-School and Fresh Fruit & Vegetable programs. Additionally, Boston Public Schools is working with the nonprofit consulting group Root Cause on a number of strategies to streamline operations and provide better meal service to students.

New England Dairy & Food Council (NEDFC) is a non-profit nutrition education organization supported by the dairy farmers of New England and Eastern New York. Staffed by registered dietitians, NEDFC works in five New England states to ensure that health professionals, scientists, media, child nutrition professionals and educators have a credible body of nutrition knowledge upon which to educate or base health recommendations and school programs. For more information, visit http://www.newenglanddairycouncil.org/

Photo Caption: Seventh grade student Alexander (AJ) L. presented New England Patriot Stephen Gostkowski with an Edison School t-shirt and water bottle on behalf of the school.