March 06, 2012

Manchin Stresses Importance of Child Nutrition in West Virginia Schools

Senator Manchin meets with West Virginia School Nutrition Association members to support good child nutrition in schools across West Virginia

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) met with members of the West Virginia School Nutrition Association today to discuss ways to improve nutrition programs in schools across West Virginia. They discussed ways to increase participation in breakfast programs, plans to implement innovative meal programs, and how to cook more nutritious food so children can eat well-balanced meals in West Virginia schools.

“Lifelong health starts when you’re very young, so I’ve always made children’s health a top priority,” Senator Manchin said. “Well-nourished children learn better, and children who do better in school can compete better in the workforce. West Virginia and our School Nutrition Association have taken important steps to improve our children’s health, and the programs that work can be a model for our state and nation. We all can do more to ensure our children have the nutrition they need to get a healthy start in life.”

Christopher Derico, Child Nutrition Director in the Lewis County School District said, “I am proud to say that West Virginia meal programs throughout the state have greatly improved in recent years, and continue to improve. We are so grateful to have met with Senator Manchin today to share those success stories. Our organization has made great strides to advance nutritional efforts in our schools and we are proud to show him our playbook that presents a guide on how to create a model food service program in West Virginia.”

Caption: From left to right: Lorrayne Corley, Carolyn Barnett, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, and Christopher Derico. Lorrayne Corley, Carolyn Barnett and Christopher Derico are members of the West Virginia School Nutrition Association. 

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