CAPITO, MANCHIN ANNOUNCE $9.1 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS

Statement

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $9,135,703 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support West Virginia school meal programs and address supply chain disruptions. West Virginia will receive $6,110,3921 in supply chain assistance to help school districts purchase food for school meal programs. Additionally, West Virginia will receive $1,803,234 as part of the USDA Foods Purchases Program to help schools access domestically grown and produced foods for schools. West Virginia will also receive $1,222,078 as part of the new Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program that will strengthen West Virginia's food supply chain.

"Every day, there are students in West Virginia's schools who rely on their school's meal program," Senator Capito said. "As supply chain issues persist and prices of everyday goods are on the rise, we need to ensure our school meal programs continue uninterrupted. This grant funding from USDA will enable West Virginia to purchase local food for schools to use, and is welcome news for our state, especially during the winter months."

"Many West Virginia families and students rely on school meal programs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to support West Virginia students, schools need the necessary resources to provide healthy meals, which is why I am pleased USDA is investing more than $9 million to strengthen school meal programs across the state. This funding will help schools purchase domestically grown food products, address supply chain shortages and create a strong local food supply chain. I will always advocate for funding to ensure our schools are well prepared to support West Virginia students as they learn and grow," Senator Manchin said.

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