Manchin, Capito Announce Infrastructure Project To Support Food Security In Wheeling

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $48,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to Grow Ohio Valley for a project to support the Upper Ohio Valley local food chain. This project will be matched with $73,850 in local funds and will be used to create a feasibility study and two reports to inform the launch of a Food Enterprise Center in a historic Wheeling building.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the heartbreaking issue of food insecurity, especially among our students in the Mountain State. The Food Enterprise Center in Wheeling will not only create additional meals for West Virginia students, it will also support local food vendors and restaurant workers,” said Senator Manchin. “ARC remains a strong partner for West Virginia and this recent investment demonstrates their commitment to supporting our people and our economy. I look forward to seeing the results of this study and I will continue to work with ARC to make this project a reality to ensure a reliable food supply chain in the Wheeling area.”

 

“It’s important that we take steps to safeguard against future disruptions in food supply chains, ensuring access to markets for producers and quality choices for consumers, especially our schools,” Senator Capito said. “The conceptualization and eventual creation of a Food Enterprise Center in Wheeling will grow important initiatives like the Restaurants to School Meals program and help solve persistent food insecurity issues in the region.”

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on weaknesses in the food supply chain,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “That’s why we’re pleased to support the GrowOV’s Food Enterprise Center, which will house a program that generates additional markets for local producers, creates job opportunities for restaurant workers, and improves food security for the residents of Wheeling.”

The Food Enterprise Center will be used to house the Restaurants to School Meals program, a Grow Ohio Value COVID-19 relief initiative to support students as well as local producers and restaurant workers, and other activities that would support West Virginia’s agribusiness growth.