Pueblo Students Cook With Local Produce

Students at Franklin School of Innovation prepared fresh snacks to celebrate Colorado Farm to School Month.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Healthy Food

Bold vector illustration of vibrant fresh vegetables like carrots and greens on a wooden surface, representing local farm-to-school nutrition education. — Students at the Franklin School of Innovation in Pueblo explored agricultural education by preparing healthy snacks using locally sourced Colorado produce. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Students at Franklin School of Innovation participated in a hands-on cooking activity to celebrate Colorado Proud Farm to School Meal Month. The event used locally sourced produce to help students learn about agriculture, nutrition, and food origins.

Why it matters

This program connects young students to the agricultural process to encourage interest in fresh vegetables and healthy eating habits. It supports local producers while integrating agricultural education into the school environment.

Nearly 950 schools participate in the statewide campaign, supported by a state that hosts approximately 35,000 farms and ranches. Winners of the Colorado Proud School Meal Month Showcase Awards receive a $1,000 stipend across five categories.

The players

Colorado Proud

This is a branding program led by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to promote food and agricultural products grown or processed in the state.

Nourish Colorado

This organization works to increase access to healthy, local food through programs and partnerships across the state.

The details

During the after-school session, 18 students followed instructions from a district chef to prepare snacks using produce from DiTomaso Farms and another local farm. The students also examined seeds to better understand the journey from seed to harvest.

October 2026: The month-long Colorado Proud Farm to School Meal Month initiative.

Culture Shift

This activity aligns with a national movement toward sustainable living and the integration of local food systems into institutional dining. Schools are increasingly prioritizing farm-to-table education to combat nutritional gaps and reconnect youth with agricultural origins.

Students at Pueblo School District 60 gain hands-on experience that may influence their dietary choices and interest in fresh, locally grown food. Parents can look for increased inclusion of local produce items on future school lunch menus within the district.

The takeaway

Bringing farm-grown produce into the classroom helps demystify the agricultural process for children. Families can implement similar habits by visiting local farms to teach children where their food comes from.