Submitted photo Pictured froml left to right: Lorrayne Corley, Carolyn Barnett, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, and Christopher Derico. Corley, Barnett and Derico are members of the West Virginia School Nutrition Association.

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By CHAD ABSHIRE

Staff Writer

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) recently met with members of the West Virginia School Nutrition Association to discuss ways to improve nutrition programs in schools across the state.

The senator spoke with multiple people, discussing ways to increase participation in breakfast programs, plans to implement innovative meal programs, and how to cook more nutritious food so children could eat well-balanced meals in West Virginia schools, a press release from Manchin’s office stated.

“Lifelong health starts when you’re very young, so I’ve always made children’s health a top priority,” 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.”

Christopher Derico, Child Nutrition Director in the Lewis County School District, said,that he was proud to say that state meal programs throughout have “greatly improved in recent years, and continue to improve.”

“We are so grateful to have met with Sen. Manchin…to share those success stories,” Derico said. “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.”

“We all can do more to ensure our children have the nutrition they need to get a healthy start in life,” Manchin said.