Local Food Program
Forecasted
Local Food Program supports school meal sponsors in purchasing food grown, raised, or processed in Colorado, connecting school meal programs with products sourced within the state.
Funder: Colorado Department of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (August claim) | November 2026 (September or Aug/Sept claim) | December 2026 (October claim) | January 2027 (November claim) | March 2027 (December claim) | April 2027 (January claim) | April 2027 (February claim) | May 2027 (March claim) | June 2027 (April claim) | July 2027 (May or May/June claim) | August 2027 (June claim)
Funding Amounts: More than $15.4 million for 131 school districts and 14 charter school sites in 2026–27
Summary: Supports eligible school meal sponsors purchasing products grown, raised, or processed in Colorado.
Key Information: Eligible sponsors must operate Healthy School Meals for All; funding supports food purchases rather than research.
Description
The Local Food Program is administered by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) through its School Nutrition office. It provides funding to eligible school meal sponsors to purchase products grown, raised, or processed in Colorado for school meal programs. The program connects school meal operations with Colorado products, with the location of growing, raising, or processing defining its purchasing focus.
Eligibility has expanded to all sponsors operating Healthy School Meals for All, including individual charter schools, residential childcare institutes, and facility schools. CDE has announced funding for the 2026–27 school year. This purchasing support is separate from shared school meal reimbursement, which reimburses sponsors for meals actually served to students. It is not funding for research or a separate project activity.
