COLORADO- A bill signed into law this week by Governor Jared Polis, could mean money back into schools using Colorado produce, meat, and dairy in school lunches.
“I think it’s something that’s very important you know we always want to be a partner with our local farmers and you know hopefully getting kids out to the farms and be able to see things are growing,” said Dan Whitt, Supervisor of Nutrition Services at Pueblo District 70, one district currently looking at using the program.
The program gives financial incentives to schools using state foods in school lunches.
In District 70’s case, they’re looking at the logistics but preliminary numbers tell them they could see up to $40,000 coming back into the district for using food.
Currently, the district already uses produce like pueblo chiles in school lunches when making sauces.
The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by Pueblo Representative Bri Buentello (D) and Cheyenne Wells Rep. Don Pelton (R).
Some Republican lawmakers voted against the bill based on the cost.
“Hopefully we can somehow get some figures after this is in place to be able to show that,” said Pelton.
For the full text of the program click the linkhere.
