Udall Welcomes USDA Funding to Connect Weld County, Denver Schools with Local Food
Mark Udall congratulated Weld County School District 6, Weld County Re-8 Schools and Denver Public Schools today on receiving $228,766 in competitive grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to connect their school cafeterias with locally grown food.
“Colorado is home to some of the very best produce our nation has to offer. These competitive grants will help strengthen the connection between this important industry and our students,” Udall said. “I believe our schools should prepare healthy meals for kids by providing locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The USDA’s support for local farm-to-school programs will help Colorado farmers, create good-paying jobs and bolster the health of all students involved.”
The competitive grants, the first-ever issued by the USDA Farm-to-School program, are:
- $99,966 to Denver Public Schools to build on its farm-to-school model that connects students with Colorado-grown food and provides them with healthier options;
- $83,800 to Weld County School District 6 to establish a food hub concept that will enable the district to purchase local foods while in-season, minimally process them and sell these easier-to-use items to other school districts; and,
- $45,000 to Weld County Re-8 Schools to bolster its use of local produce and to improve the kitchen facilities at Twombly Elementary.
Udall has been a vocal advocate of promoting healthier lifestyles among students and an avid booster of Colorado agriculture. Udall also led a successful effort to ensure that fresh potatoes and other vegetables remains a part of school lunch programs.