BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Colorado Proud, along with the Colorado Departments of Agriculture and of Education, is inviting every Colorado school to participate in the annual Colorado Proud School Meal Day on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. This is a day to celebrate Colorado agriculture and to educate K-12 school children about healthy eating – and about from where their food comes.
In order to encourage eating habits that will promote a lifetime of optimal health, it is essential to teach children about the importance of eating foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Each year on Colorado Proud School Meal Day, more than 150,000 students statewide learn about agriculture in classrooms and eat locally-grown and -made meals. They talk about healthy eating, innovation, farmers and ranchers, and even their own young roles in the local food movement.
In addition, Chef Jessica Wright, who manages Healthy Food in Institutions for Nourish Colorado, launched a new video for teachers, students and families with local recipes and tips for cooking with locally-grown ingredients.
“More than ever, it’s important for students to understand agriculture’s value, heritage and history, as our future consumers and influencers,” said Danielle Trotta, Colorado Proud Program Manager. “We also want them to learn how and where their food is grown here in Colorado, better connecting them to our land and to each other.”
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 and local buying will continue to improve Colorado business and lifestyle, playing an important role in our culture and in our future. It’s an important subject for every age and generation,” added Trotta.
How Schools Can Participate
For ideas on how to celebrate Colorado Proud School Meal Day, schools should contact Rebecca Boone at the Department of Education at Rebecca.Boone@state.co.us. For any other questions, please contact Danielle Trotta at danielle.trotta@state.co.us.
We’d like to help promote schools’ participation. Tell us how your school intends to participate here.
Agriculture Materials for Colorado Teachers and Students
- Share Your School’s Colorado Proud School Meal Day Plans
- Video for Teachers, Students and Families with Local Recipes
- Colorado Kids Produce Activity Guide
- Last year’s Map of Schools Participating in 2020 Colorado Proud School Meal Day
- Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs
- Find Colorado Proud Products
- Using Colorado Market Maker for Farm to School Success Tip Sheet
- Colorado Agriculture Map for Kids
- Colorado Proud Fun Facts
- Learn About Colorado Agriculture
- Colorado Produce Calendar
- Colorado Farm Fresh Directory
— Colorado Proud
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