The South Routt School District has been awarded $7,700 through the Colorado Local Food Program for the 2026-27 academic year to fund food grown, raised or processed in the state, helping make local food a regular part of school meals, states a recent news release from nonprofit Nourish Colorado. 

The district currently purchases local beef from Snowden Ranch and uses it in student meals such as chili, nachos, tacos, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce. The kitchen also partners with Finch Ranch Artisan Meats for brats. 

When Colorado produce is in season, the district sources fresh fruits and vegetables from DeVries Produce in Grand Junction. Tomatoes, peaches and melons appear on breakfast and lunch menus while fresh produce and pickles can be found at the salad bar. The kitchen also makes its own salsa and pico de gallo for Mexican-inspired meals.

The district’s kitchen also prepares meals for Steamboat Montessori students, allowing those students to also receive locally prepared food and benefit from Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program, which provides free meals to students.