The Status of Child Nutrition Programs in Colorado.

The health and learning potential of Colorado's children are enhanced by the nutritional benefits of several programs. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the oldest and largest. Unfortunately, 1980-81 budget cuts, price increases, and other factors caused a decrease in participation of over 40,000 children a day from the 1980 figure of 277,000 children a day. The trend shows increasing participation since the budget cuts in 1980-81, and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) reached an all-time high of over 28,000 breakfasts a day in 1991. Other programs include the Special Milk Program (SMP) for children without access to the NSLP or SBP, the Summer Food Service Program for Children, and the Nutrition Education and Training Program for teachers, students, food service personnel, and parents. In this booklet, a description of Colorado's child nutrition programs is followed by a presentation of statewide data on average meal prices, average per plate costs, trends in students served, donated commodities, and economic impact. The bulk of the report consists of tables presenting data for the state's school districts that are grouped according to setting: core city, Denver Metro, urban/suburban, outlying city, outlying town, recreational, rural, and small attendance. The tables indicate: (1) district membership; (2) average daily lunch participation; (3) total percentage of children participating; (4) number of schools providing lunch, breakfast, and SMP; (5) number of sites with kitchens and walk-in or carry-out provisions; (6) breakfast and lunch prices for elementary, middle, junior high, and high schools, and for adults; (7) costs included in per plate costs; and (8) other information. (AC)