Colorado lawmakers are considering ways to address a projected $24 million funding shortfall in the Healthy School Meals for All program, and grants to help districts purchase food from local farmers and ranchers could be at risk. Dan Sharp, nutrition services director for Mesa County School District 51, said serving fresh, locally-sourced foods -- as opposed to highly processed foods shipped cross-country -- gives kids the fuel they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. "There's evidence-based research that the more locally sourced our food supply is -- whether we get it at the grocery store or through our school meal programs -- a higher quality and better nutritious product for our students," Sharp explained. " ...