Source Local Food

Farm to school programs connect schools with local producers to provide students with fresh, healthy food in school and summer meals. These programs promote healthy eating habits, support local agriculture and offer educational opportunities for students to learn about food systems, agriculture and nutrition through activities like school gardens and farm visits.

View the Colorado Local Food Program Guidebook developed by Nourish Colorado for tools and resources to launch, implement and sustain farm to school programs. This resource guides child nutrition program sponsors through purchasing, preparing and promoting local products and includes resources to involve communities in farm to school and set up school gardening programs.

Purchase Local Food

Local Food Program

The LFP offers funding to eligible sponsors for the purchase of Colorado grown, raised or processed products. Eligible sponsors include those operating the Healthy School Meals for All program as well as individual charter schools, residential childcare institutes and facility schools. This is a competitive award, and sponsors must apply for funding.

46 sponsors were awarded the LFP grant for SY 25-26.

Resources:

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Local Food Program Grantees

A total of $500,000 was awarded to the following 46 sponsors for SY 2025-26:

Campo RE-6
Canon City RE-1
CO Early Colleges Aurora
Community Leadership Academy
Creede School District
Delta County 50(J)
Durango 9-R
Eagle County RE 50
Englewood 1
Fort Morgan Re-3
Fowler R-4J
Frenchman RE-3
Greeley 6
Gunnison Watershed RE1J
Haxtun RE-2J
Holyoke Re-1J
Ignacio 11 JT
Johnstown-Milliken RE-5J
La Veta Re-2
Lake County R-1
Lamar Re-2
Littleton 6
Mancos Re-6
Mapleton 1
McClave Re-2
Moffat County RE: No 1

Montrose County RE-1J
North Conejos RE-1J
Norwood R-2J
Ouray R-1
Pinnacle Charter
Plainview RE-2
Plateau Valley 50
Roaring Fork RE-1
Rocky Ford R-2
Salida R-32
Silverton 1
South Routt RE 3
The STEAD School
Swallows Charter
Telluride R-1
Thompson R2-J
Trinidad 1
Vilas RE-5
Weld RE-4
West End RE-2

Resources

Local Procurement Resources

Colorado Local Beef Directory
Colorado Local Producer List
- To be added to the producer list, complete this survey.
Colorado Proud Database
Local Food Program Success Stories

Food Safety Resources

Sponsor Procurement Resources

Producer Resources

The National Farm to School Network’s Bringing the Farm to School training program offers resources to producers getting their start in Farm to School.

Connect with Partners

Connecting with partners helps strengthen community ties, support local economies and ensure the program's sustainability. Building strong relationships benefits students, schools and the community as a whole.

Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger – Engages in policy advocacy and community organizing to address food security and strengthen food systems.
Hunger Free Colorado – Focuses on policy advocacy and community initiatives to improve food access and address hunger issues.
Nourish Colorado - Provides educational support related to local procurement and culinary training as well as policy advocacy on food systems.
Local Food Program Success Stories - Resource videos by Nourish Colorado, featuring success stories from Local Food Program participants, available with captions in English and Spanish.

Nutrition Education

Farm to School nutrition education teaches students about healthy eating habits, the origins of their food and the benefits of eating fresh locally-grown foods. Watch the videos and use the resources below to get started.

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Funding Opportunities

USDA Farm to School Grant