By: Stephanie Prokop
SPRINGFIELD Since when does eating vegetables score complimentary VIP tickets to a NY Jets game?
For three sixth-graders from Springfield Township Elementary School, learning about proper nutrition and exercise really paid off. The students will be attending the Saturday’s game at the Giants Stadium to see the Jets play the Buffalo Bills.
James Quinerly, Zachary Lossredo and Colin Fitzpatrick will all receive complimentary tickets, a bus ride, and VIP access compliments of the Eat Right, Move More campaign brought to elementary school students by Gov. Jon Corzine and state Department of Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus.
The Springfield Township Elementary School teacher, Jared Fudurich, and food service coordinator Lori Nelson, who encouraged the children to participate, will be accompanying the children to the game.
The program focuses on healthy eating and incorporating more physical activity into daily routines, as well as brainstorming ideas to improve school menus, and make changes in offerings both at home and at school. The program was presented as a contest to all schools in New Jersey to challenge students to brainstorm about healthier eating options.
According to Springfield Township Elementary School Superintendent Helena Sullivan, the school submitted a list of the changes to their policies and also their new meal menus to be reviewed as part of the program.
The school was one of five schools statewide selected as the winners.
Ms. Sullivan said that Springfield Elementary is "emphasizing nutrition and a healthy lifestyle" by adding a walking program for third- and fourth-graders and sitting down with students trying to strategically plan a healthier menu and snacks.
Nutri-Serve, the school’s foodservice provider, worked with a nutrition committee made up of representatives from each classroom to look for ways to incorporate more vegetables into the menu, how to give children a choice of salad, and how to incorporate more fruit choices into the afternoon snack.
The game ticket winners were selected by drawing names out of a hat.
The winners will be bused up to the stadium in the school’s van, and arrive early so they can watch the team warm up. The winners will also be recognized during the half-time ceremony.

