July 09, 2020

Manchin, Capito Announce Nearly $100,000 For West Virginia Farm To School Program

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $99,997 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve access to local foods in schools by implementing and expanding a farm to school program in West Virginia.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced every West Virginian to change their daily lives, including our students and children. As we approach the fall, regardless of whether our schools are open or not, we must ensure our students have nutritious food to eat. This funding from the USDA will help West Virginia improve access to local foods for students by creating a farm to school program across the state to help feed our kids. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this investment into our schools and children, and will continue to fight for funding that supports our communities, families, and children as we continue to respond to this crisis,” Senator Manchin said.

“Implementing a farm-to-school program in West Virginia will not only benefit our local farmers, but also help provide nutritious food options for our children across the state. It is important to shop local, and the creation of this relationship between our farms and our schools will provide a much-needed boost to our agriculture sector while increasing food security in our education system. West Virginians take care of each other, and this program is a wonderful example of that mentality. I look forward to the benefits that come from this investment, and thank USDA for their continued support in West Virginia,” said Senator Capito.