WV surpasses national average in kids’ lunch help

By Nadia Ramlagan 

West Virginia – West Virginia has higher than average rates of school meal participation, according to the latest data from the Food Research and Action Center.
Nationwide, fewer kids had access to school meals during the pandemic, and since then federal breakfast and lunch programs have remained underutilized.
Clarissa Hayes, deputy director of child nutrition programs and policy for the Food Research and Action Center, said Mountain State districts have done a good job of promoting meal programs and connecting families to resources.
“West Virginia is one of those states, for every 100 kids who get a free, reduced-price lunch, they are reaching just over six with an after-school supper,” Hayes explained. “That’s actually higher than the national average.”
During the 2023-24 school year, more than 142,000 kids participated in school breakfasts, and around 167,000 had free or reduced–price school lunches.
West Virginia is also one of a handful of states to expand school meal programs to include after-school suppers. Hayes pointed out rural areas face different barriers to food access. She noted having a meal after the end of the school day can help ensure fewer kids go to bed hungry.
“The after-school nutrition programs are really so critical,” Hayes contended. “We know that’s going to be especially true as some of these massive snap cuts roll out and families have more limited grocery resources.”
Currently, after-school sites must be in areas where at least 50% of children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. The report’s authors said lowering the threshold to 40% would expand eligibility to more communities.