Colorado School District Plans Farm-to-Table Cafeterias

A Colorado school district is taking the first steps toward serving students food grown right on campus.

Eagle County School District launched a six-month study in January 2026 to explore how the district could use 35 acres of its own land to grow food for school cafeterias. The $35,700 Harvest Innovation Grant will fund the project through June.

"In an ideal world, we would grow our own food and bring it straight into the cafeteria to serve students," said Chris Delsordo, the district's nutrition services director. "We hope this grant helps move us closer to that vision."

The district already serves some local food to students. February menus featured beef patties from nearby Snowden Meats, and cafeterias regularly offer local pears, apples, and lettuce when in season.

Now the district wants to go further. Over six months, they're bringing together local ranchers, farmers, agricultural education experts, and food security organizations to explore what's possible.

A farm-to-school consultant will lead monthly meetings to discuss everything from nutrition education to sustainable funding. The group will examine how district-owned land could support not just school meals, but also hands-on learning and community food access.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits could extend far beyond better school lunches. Students would gain career pathways in agriculture through hands-on learning. Local farmers would find new markets for their crops. Transportation costs and environmental impacts would drop as food travels shorter distances.

The district will present a comprehensive feasibility report to Colorado's Department of Education in June. That report will include timelines, budget estimates, and recommendations that other rural Colorado districts could use as a blueprint.

If the plan moves forward, Eagle County students could eventually enjoy salads, fruits, and vegetables that traveled from school garden to cafeteria in hours instead of days or weeks.

The project represents a growing movement across Colorado to strengthen local food systems while teaching kids where their meals come from.