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Photo of Secretary Kuperus, Emma Davis-Kovacs and Springfield Township School kids and teachers - Click to enlarge
For Immediate Release: December 12, 2006
Contact: Lynne Richmond 
(609) 633-2954

(EAST RUTHERFORD) – Four Springfield Township School sixth-grade students, a teacher and the school’s food service director were honored on the field Sunday by the New York Jets, New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus and the Department’s Acting Director of the Division of Food and Nutrition Emma Davis-Kovacs during the Jets/Buffalo Bills football game at the Meadowlands.

Springfield Township School won the Eat Right, Move More contest, which challenged New Jersey schools to submit their meal menus to determine the five schools with the most creative meal selections and that have made the most significant changes to improve their school nutrition environment. 

“The Springfield Township school district has placed great importance on creatively meeting the Department’s new nutrition guidelines and teaching students about healthy lifestyles,” said Secretary Kuperus.  “We appreciate the New York Jets help in recognizing Springfield and other schools for their efforts to improve nutrition and increase activity.”

Springfield was randomly selected from the five schools that won the Eat Right, Move More contest to be honored at the Jets’ December 10th game.  Springfield, as well as Brielle Elementary School in Brielle, Coles Elementary School in Scotch Plains, Heywood Avenue School in Orange, and Sandman Consolidated School in Cape May, will receive a visit from a Jets player next spring in recognition of their commitment to good nutrition.

“Winning the contest and being selected to go to the game is a big boost for a little school that will likely energize the students for good nutrition,” said Lori Nelson, Springfield Township Schools Food Service Director.

Springfield Township School teacher Jared Fudurich, a life-long Jets fan, read about the contest online and orchestrated the application process.

“The National Football League generates a lot of excitement for both children and adults,” said Fudurich. “Sports figures are icons and the on-field experience and looking forward to a Jets school visit means so much to the kids.”

Fudurich, Nelson and students Noah Elliott, Colin Fitzpatrick, Zack Lofferdo and Reed Quinerly were treated to a VIP reception at the stadium, then brought down onto the field to watch pre-game warm-ups and were then brought onto the field between the third and fourth quarters to be honored.  The children were selected to attend the game through a lottery.

“It was great to have this opportunity since it’s not common for me to win,” said Reed Quinerly.  “If you want to be active, you need to eat healthy foods rather than junk foods and I will try to encourage other kids at school to eat healthier.”

The Eat Right, Move More campaign encourages Garden State students to eat the nutritious foods now being offered in schools throughout the state as part of a new school nutrition policy that focuses on healthier eating and more physical activity.

The campaign features posters of Jets offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson in every school telling students, “When I have a healthy meal, it helps me play my best.  Your school cafeteria has a variety of nutritious foods to keep you going all day long.  So get up, eat right and move more!”

Schools are required to completely implement New Jersey’s new school nutrition policy by September of 2007.  The most comprehensive in the nation, the policy covers pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students and limits fat and sugar content in foods offered in a la carte lines, snack bars and vending machines, school stores and as part of on-campus fund-raisers.  For more information on the policy, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/childadult/school_model.html.

“We are excited about this partnership with the New York Jets to encourage Garden State students to eat the nutritious foods now being offered in schools throughout the state as part of our new school nutrition policy,” said Davis-Kovacs.  “Our collaboration with the Jets will go a long way toward jump starting our statewide nutrition program.”

Over the past six years, the New York Jets and their charitable foundation donated or raised more than $6 million to promote youth health, fitness, and education, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Jets strive to create new opportunities – whether by launching the first football team in an urban high school, providing additional after school instruction in an underperforming school district, or encouraging students to eat well and exercise regularly.