milkdelivers.org

Nancy Heinicke, of Lincoln Nebraska, understands the important role milk plays in a healthy diet, especially for athletes.  As the school nutrition manager with the Messiah Lutheran School, she made it her goal to encourage her students to adapt a healthier diet.  Nancy kicked off the ‘08/’09 school year by switching to small plastic milk bottles, and saw student milk consumption gains of a whopping 65%. Then, Nancy really got creative for the second half of the school year.

From January 20 through the 22nd, Nancy had athletes from the University of Nebraska come and visit with her students during lunch.  She titled the event "Celebrate the Huskers", and the college athletes would talk about the important role milk plays in an overall healthy diet and for their sport.  In addition to these visits Nancy placed "got milk?" stickers on various trays, and the lucky recipients of these lunch trays won a "milk mustache" picture taken with the athletes.

Since the promotion has ended, Nancy has added a bulletin board with signatures from athletes and the milk mustache pictures from the event.  The success of the event has encouraged the school to hold "Celebrate the Huskers" in future school years.