Colorado (CO)

Explore information on farm to school participation by Colorado (CO) school food authorities (SFAs) that responded to the Census and the schools and students they serve. Use the tools below to dig deeper into farm to school in Colorado.

State Profile for Colorado

Census Responses for Colorado

Total number of responding School Food Authorities (SFAs)
127
Total number of schools in responding SFAs
1,293
Total number of students in responding SFAs
629,393
Farm to School Participation
59.1% (75)
of SFAs participating in SY2018-2019

Key Census Findings for Colorado

Dig in on how farm to school is being cultivated across Colorado.

Length of farm to school participation by SFAs in Colorado

Farm to school has been picking up momentum over the last 10 years. See how long SFAs in Colorado have been going local.

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Less than 3 years
 
46.7%
35
3-5 years
 
26.7%
20
6-10 years
 
16%
12
More than 10 years
 
10.7%
8
1,056 schools

544,445 students in participating SFAs

Food tray

Farm to school participation in Colorado

Farm to school is growing in Colorado! Local food and agricultural education activities are showing up in the cafeteria, the classroom, and the garden. Check out how many schools and students are served by farm to school SFAs.
68%

51 SFAs

Apple cars

Colorado SFAs serving local food

Farm to school means more fresh, local food is on the menu. Across the country, SFAs engaged in farm to school report serving higher quality foods in school meals and increased participation in school meals.

Child Nutrition Programs in Colorado using local food in school year 2018-2019

Nationally, a majority of farm to school SFAs have been serving local food in school meals and snacks. See how many SFAs in Colorado are leveraging local foods.

Percent of F2S SFAs in Program Total F2S SFAs
Use local foods in NSLP
 
64%
48
Use local foods in SBP
 
60.6%
40
Use local foods in the FFVP
 
63.2%
12
Use local foods in CACFP
 
71.4%
15
Use local foods in CACFP At-Risk
 
80%
12
Use local foods in SFSP/SSO
 
75.9%
22
61.3%

46 SFAs

Teacher with class

Colorado SFAs providing food, nutrition, or agricultural education

Farm to school activities include experiential learning in the classroom, in the garden, and on the farm. Colorado SFAs offer opportunities such as taste testing, school gardening, and farm field trips.
49.3%

37 SFAs

Vegetable garden

Colorado SFAs that have edible gardens

School gardens are becoming a popular outdoor extension of the classroom. Across the curriculum, school gardens can bring learning to life and produce food to serve in school meals.

Food and nutrition education in Colorado

Farm to school activities can include educational experiences in the classroom, the garden, and on the farm. See how SFAs in Colorado are bringing farm to school alive with hands-on learning.

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Hold taste tests & cooking demos
 
41.3%
31
Use USDA Team Nutrition materials
 
10.7%
8
Use educational edible school garden
 
24%
18
Hold student field trips to farms
 
32%
24
Have Farmers Visit
 
21.3%
16
Do farm to school activities in pre-K
 
17.3%
13

Local foods served daily or weekly in meals or snacks

As farm to school has grown, so have the local options students enjoy at meal time. Many schools are serving fresh and local fruits, vegetables, dairy, proteins, or grains daily, a few times a week, or weekly. Schools meet federal nutritional standards and students get healthy, flavorful, options.

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Serve local fruit at least weekly
 
34.7% 26
Serve local vegetables at least weekly
 
37.3% 28
Serve local milk at least weekly
 
41.3% 31
Serve other local dairy at least weekly
 
9.3% 7
Serve local protein at least weekly
 
10.7% 8
Serve local grains at least weekly
 
10.7% 8

Find Another State

Change State