Canon City Schools is enhancing its meal offerings by incorporating more locally sourced food into its student menus, thanks to the recently awarded Local Food Grant from the Colorado State Department of Education. This initiative aims to provide students with farm-to-table produce and meat, elevating the quality of school lunches in the district.
Anna Payne, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Services Manager, shared the district’s commitment to sourcing high-quality food. “We’re trying to bring in as much local produce as we can this fall,” she stated. The funding will also support the purchase of locally sourced meat, including beef and chicken. Additionally, the program aims to collaborate with local producers to secure fresh produce for the summer food program in May and June.
The Colorado Department of Education has allocated up to $2.6 million in total funding to various districts across the state, with Canon City Schools receiving $15,254.30 for the 2025/26 school year. The district learned about this funding opportunity in August and quickly seized the chance to enhance its meal program.
Currently, Canon City Schools serves approximately 3,300 meals daily, and the goal is to integrate locally sourced foods into each school’s offerings. Recently, the district launched the initiative with a special meal at Canon City High School (CCHS), featuring a salad bar with produce from High on the Hill Farm and Our Backyard, LLC. The menu included local tomatoes, peppers, and onions, alongside ground beef chili made with ingredients sourced from Upper Beavercreek Ranch.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for local farmers,” remarked Jan Dubois, co-owner of High on the Hill Farm. “It’s a win-win situation for the kids and puts the money into small farms in our community.”
The program will expand further in November, when the district plans to host a burger bar featuring patties sourced from Ranch Food Direct. As the growing season ends, the district intends to continue purchasing local beef and other regional produce. “It’s the right thing to do to support our local community,” Payne emphasized. “We’re offering students fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality proteins while strengthening local businesses.”
Looking ahead, Payne expressed hopes to deepen partnerships with area farms, ensuring that local producers can rely on consistent demand from the schools. She noted that continued food funding will depend on the passage of Propositions LL and MM this fall, which could secure further investment in local food systems within Colorado schools.
Students in Canon City School District will continue to receive free meals funded by federal programs, with the exception of Mountain View Core Knowledge, where lunch fees will resume in January unless Propositions LL and MM are approved. “We want to support local businesses and build those connections with community partners while also getting more quality produce and meat for our kids,” Payne concluded.
For updates on the district’s nutrition program, community members can follow their official Facebook page.
