Here is a summary of some of the dairy promotion activities and events across the state in the past month.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Duhon. jduhon@sedairy.org
Saints' Dietitian Promotes Dairy for Professional Athletes
In a recent blog post for the Ochsner Health System website, dairy advocate and registered dietitian Jamie Meeks discussed five different foods that professional athletes love to eat and that give them a competitive edge. Two dairy products-Greek yogurt and chocolate milk-were on the list. 
Meeks is one of SUDIA's trained dairy advocates and currently works as the Director of Sports Nutrition for the New Orleans Saints (NFL) and Pelicans (NBA). Prior to working with the Saints, she was the sports dietitian for LSU and one of the first dietitians to work closely with SUDIA to obtain chocolate milk coolers for college athletes. We continue to work with her in her new role with the Saints and are exploring ways that she can help us promote dairy in Louisiana through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.
Click here to read her blog post and learn why she recommends dairy for athletes.
Dairy Promoted at 4-H Conference
On August 25 staffer Jennifer Duhon participated in the 45th annual Louisiana 4-H agents conference in Pollack. Duhon promoted the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) program to 75 4-H agents and emphasized the importance of daily physical activity and a healthy diet that includes dairy. She also gave a presentation on how FUTP 60 can be incorporated into 4-H clubs as we continue to seek ways to develop partnerships across the state to promote dairy.

Photo: Staffer Jennifer Duhon promotes dairy and the FUTP 60 program at the 4-H Conference in Pollack. 
Fuel Up to Play 60 Kickoff Event at J.C. Ellis Elementary 
On August 31 staffer Jennifer Duhon participated in the FUTP 60 grant recipient kickoff event at J.C. Ellis Elementary School in Metairie. Duhon helped motivate over 150 students to get involved with the FUTP 60 program and focus on increasing physical activity, eating a healthy diet that includes dairy and building leadership skills. Also present at the event were Jefferson Parish athletic director Carl Nini and school board members.

Photo: Staffer Jennifer Duhon speaks to students at J.C. Ellis Elementary about dairy and the FUTP 60 program.
Milk Sponsorship at Olympic Games is a Big Success
White milk made a splash this summer as the Milk LifeĀ® campaign supported Team USA as an official sponsor of the 2016 Summer Olympic games. The Milk LifeĀ® campaign is part of the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) which is funded by the nation's milk companies. White milk was promoted through contests, in-store promotions, television, digital and print ads as well as social media.
With the support of Team Milk athletes and the entire dairy industry, Milk Life was listed among the top five brands for social media engagement during the Summer Games in Rio. Milk Life ranked #4, above Proctor & Gamble and just after Nike, Coke and United. With this high-profile media coverage and the support of industry partners, we're off to a powerful start in what is only the first year of the Olympic sponsorship. Click here to read more about the results of the sponsorship.