Local School Scores Touchdown with New York Jets Alumni

Middle Country Central School District Presented with $5,000 to Provide Students with Increased Access to Healthy Lunches

CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (November 2020)—The Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) was recently joined by New York Jets alumni, Tony Richardson, for the presentation of a $5,000 grant award from the New York Jets & American Dairy Association of the North East to be applied towards the district’s lunch program financing.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to provide our students with increased access to healthy lunches, a districtwide goal that has been made much easier with the generosity of our friends at the New York Jets & American Dairy Association of the North East,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, superintendent of schools. “It’s so important, now more than ever, that our students have access to healthy food options to remain healthy, focused and engaged. As a district, we place a heavy emphasis on promoting health and wellness, and this grant provides us with a tremendous opportunity to do both.”

In September, Middle Country’s District Manager for Whiston’s Culinary Group Laura Gaglione, applied for the grant with a vision to address food insecurities that students in the district face and to promote health and wellness for students’ development within the Middle Country school buildings.

Tony Richardson, the New York Jets & American Dairy Association of the North East and Whiston’s Culinary Group representatives joined Centereach High School and Newfield High School students, principals and coaches, as well as district and community leaders for the socially distant presentation of the grant. Many students had the opportunity to speak with Tony Richardson, learning about his years playing professional football and his motivation to help promote nutrition in schools.

Jets alumni, Tony Richardson, presented the $5,000 grant to the Middle Country School District alongside students and staff.
Lunch staff and administrators are inspired to promote health and wellness for all students with the help of the New York Jets & The American Dairy Association of the North East.