School Nutrition Unit

Our Mission

The CDE School Nutrition Unit administers the USDA Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) that provide healthy food to children in Colorado. Each of these programs helps to fight hunger and obesity and promotes the health and well-being of children. School Nutrition is committed to ensuring all school-aged children have equal access to healthy meals by supporting, training, and connecting Colorado's child nutrition community.

Quick Links

Reviews

CO Child Nutrition Hub

Training Opportunities

Subscribe to The Dish

The Dish is our monthly e-newsletter designed to help you implement Child Nutrition Programs.

Child Nutrition Programs

National School Lunch Program

Summer Food Service Program

Special Milk Program

School Breakfast Program | Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program | After School Snack Program | Provisions | Seamless Summer Option

Monthly Spotlight

National School Lunch Week and CO Proud School Meal Day: Two Unique Ways to Showcase School Nutrition 

Started in 1962, National School Lunch Week has been an annual event promoting the importance of a nutritious school lunch and the impact that this can have on a student’s health. National School Lunch Week events may help increase student participation, market your school meal service to parents, and showcase positive efforts of your school nutrition program. This year’s theme “School Lunch: What’s on Your Playlist” spotlights all of the latest trends in tastes, flavors, and delivery options for school districts.

Colorado Proud School Meal Day is a unique day to celebrate Colorado agriculture and to educate schoolchildren about healthy eating and where their food comes from. Agribusinesses contribute more than $40 billion to the state economy annually and provide more than 170,000 jobs. This year, Denver Public Schools showcased CO Proud School Meal day at Cory Elementary where they held a taste test of a local vegetable medley straight from their school garden. They were additionally able to showcase local Colorado bison tacos, toured their chicken coop, and visited their school garden with a special visit from Governor Jared Polis, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and the Colorado Department of Education. St. Vrain School District hosted their first Colorado Proud School Meal Day fair at Columbine Elementary, complete with local farmers, dairy producers, Future Farmers of America, and even a live pig named Violet.

Frequently Requested

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race,color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.This institution is an equal opportunity provider.