Schools in West Virginia are among the state’s largest food providers, making school meals a strategic lever for advancing food justice, public health, and rural livelihoods. Farm to School (F2S) initiatives promise to connect classrooms and cafeterias with local producers, yet scaling and sustaining these efforts in a transitioning, resource-constrained region requires new coordination, policy design, and practical tools. This project examines the conditions under which F2S can reliably deliver nutritious, culturally appropriate meals while strengthening local farm economies.
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Which procurement, logistics, and policy arrangements enable consistent local purchasing at scale?
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How do farm-based learning and food literacy curricula affect student participation and diet quality?
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What coordination architectures are feasible and equitable?
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How can small and under-resourced producers and districts be included without disproportionate administrative burden?
The project will translate evidence into actionable guidance, positioning F2S as a durable pillar of resilient, place-based food systems in West Virginia.