EASTHAMPTON — Breakfast is the meal of champions, and no one can illustrate that better to a group of schoolchildren than Pat Patriot, who visited White Brook Middle School on Wednesday.
The New England Patriots mascot joined school leaders and representatives from the New England Food and Dairy Council in presenting students with new recess equipment and a breakfast cart to encourage more kids to eat healthy foods on their way into school.
The school bought the items with a $3,319 grant awarded by Fuel Up to Play 60, a three-way partnership between the National Football League, the National Dairy Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“We had talked about it in the wellness committee, ways to encourage healthy eating and physical activity,” said Superintendent Nancy Follansbee. “And this really supports both of those initiatives.”
Until now, students at the school lacked equipment to use during recess. Early Wednesday morning students put the new items — including soccer balls, kickballs, hula hoops and jump ropes — to swift use in a frenzy of excitement.
“Pat gets the kids excited,” said Ally Gallop, a spokesperson for the New England Food and Dairy Council, watching as Pat threw one of the new footballs back and forth with one beaming student. “We want to celebrate eating well and being active.”
While students tossed balls around, had hula hoop competitions and waited to take pictures with Pat, school staff passed around blueberry and yogurt smoothies.
Bob Gould, manager at Allard’s Farms in Hadley, said Dairy Council events help local farmers sell their wares.
“It helps get the word out — any kind of milk is good for growing kids,” Gould said.
Abby Achmad, 11, is a student ambassador who helped pick out the items. She said students previously had to eat breakfast in the cafeteria while others were outside milling around, so the cart is more accessible.
“I know a lot of kids that go inside for breakfast and I think this will be easier for them,” she said of the mobile food cart, which will offer egg sandwiches, fruit and other healthy breakfast options.
Some students, said Jordan Detmers, 13, stay inside during recess and he thinks the new items might change their routines.
“It might make kids want to go out to recess more,” he said.
Principal Meredith Balise agreed.
“I think it will just bring a whole new level of excitement,” she said. “We haven’t had anything like this for recess.”
Ashley Cortis, 10, picked up one of the kickballs and said now she’ll have more options than just tag.
“We’ll play four square and sometimes play football, and kickball, too,” she said of her plans.
One parent heavily involved in the grant application process was pleased to see the fruits of her labor.
“We really needed all of this equipment to enhance recess,” said Rachel Achmad, who has two children at the school. “That (equipment) cart is great because it’s really easy to push around.”
Deb Lusnia, School Committee chairwoman, was on hand for the event to show support.
“We’re just excited for this new opportunity for the kids,” Lusnia said. “We’re grateful for the involved parents that helped make it happen.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.