Today, children across the state celebrated Colorado Proud School Meal Day. Hosted annually by the Colorado Departments of Agriculture and of Education, this day celebrates Colorado agriculture and educates K-12 school kids about healthy eating – and about where their food comes from.
Nearly 110,000 students from 318 schools participated and learned about agriculture in classrooms and ate locally grown and made meals. They talked about healthy eating, innovation, farming and ranching, and even their own roles as young people engaged in the local food movement. Some schools also included field trips to local farms and community gardens, agriculture-focused materials and guest speakers, and even a corn shucking contest.
“It’s important for young Coloradans to learn about how and where their food is grown in their home state. It fosters a connection between future consumers and how they view Colorado’s long, rich ag history and the role it plays in their everyday lives,” said Danielle Trotta, Colorado Proud program manager. “School Meal Day is also an opportunity to engage students in healthy eating habits in a creative way.”
Governor Jared Polis commemorated the day by visiting students at Sopris Elementary School in Glenwood Springs, Colo. Trotta visited Aurora Public Schools’ Quest K-8 School, and others from the Colorado Department of Agriculture visited schools throughout the Denver Metro Areas. Click here for photos from the visits.
Colorado farmers and ranchers produce food items that provide the nutrients children and adults need to thrive. Agriculture contributes $47 billion to the state economy annually and provides more than 195,000 jobs. With more than 38,900 farms and ranches encompassing 32 million acres, it is easy to understand the value this industry adds to Colorado.
Agriculture Materials for Colorado Teachers and Students