December 02, 2014

Manchin Announces $100,000 to Improve School Cafeterias’ Access to Local, Fresh Foods

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced that the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) will receive $100,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School Program. The funding will be used to help effectively move food from local farms to school cafeterias. The WVDE Office of Child Nutrition and the West Virginia Farm to School Community Development Group will collaborate to develop food hubs. These hubs will establish a distribution infrastructure where farmers can respond to the growing demand for local food and continue to maintain a profit margin, while also providing schools an outlet to purchase local products at an affordable cost.

“Investing in public-private partnerships like these farm to school projects truly benefit many aspects of our local communities,” Senator Manchin said. “Not only will our farmers sell fresh products to local residents, but our students will receive healthier food options at school, ensuring that our children remain well-nourished so they can learn better. I am pleased that this funding will offer wonderful opportunities to promote agricultural practices, encourage the next generation of farmers in our local areas and ensure our kids understand the importance of eating healthy.” 
 
To learn more about West Virginia’s Farm to School program, please click here.

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