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.

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The Dish is a monthly e-newsletter from the School Nutrition Unit to support you in the implementation of Child Nutrition Programs.

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Quick Links

Pencil icon Reviews

Computer icon CO Child Nutrition Hub

Form icon Training Opportunities

Child Nutrition Programs

National School Lunch Program

Summer Food Service Program

Special Milk Program

Monthly Spotlight

A Healthy Day Starts off with Breakfast

Breakfast in the Hallway at East Otero

School Breakfast Participation reduces food insecurity, increases student test scores, and improves student health. The School Breakfast Program provides a healthy morning meal each school day to over 180,000 Colorado students, many of whom may not receive breakfast otherwise. According to the Food and Research and Action Center's School Breakfast Scorecard, only 6 Colorado children receive breakfast for every 10 students participating in the National School Lunch Program, ranking Colorado 17th in the nation for school breakfast participation. Celebrate National School Breakfast Week by using unique serving models to increase breakfast participation. Unique serving models, such as East Otero's Breakfast in the Hallway, have been shown to increase participation. Cori Hanson, East Otero's Food Service Director states "The breakfast carts allow us to get the kids the food and nourishment they need to start the day off right. Having it mobile and delivering it to where the kids are in the school not only gives all the kids the chance to enjoy breakfast, but it also takes stress off teachers, parents, and the students." Other great service models to increase participation include grab and go and breakfast in the classroom.

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with Child Nutrition Programs!

The School Nutrition Unit invites you to take a peek at the many free tools & resources available this month encouraging students to learn more about eating healthy to fuel their growing minds. Please feel free to reach out to Gabriella Warner for more information or resource needs.

My Plate Resources

USDA Resources

Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Resources

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.

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