Press Releases

PLASKETT ANNOUNCES CONSIDERABLE INCREASE FOR CHILD NUTRITION FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement announcing significant child nutrition program funding increases for the Virgin Islands:

“I am very pleased with the announcement that USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will increase the rates of federal funding for all child nutrition programs in the Virgin Islands to 30% above existing reimbursement rates for the contiguous United States (from 17%). This announcement follows an FNS analysis of existing data on the cost of operating child nutrition programs. This increase in the federal reimbursement rate will support more nutritious meals for students in the Virgin Islands. The rate increases will take effect July 1, 2023, for school meals and the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and on January 1, 2024, for the Summer Food Service Program.

“Often the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDOE) has had to struggle to meet the needs of our students, given local budgetary constraints. I will continue to implore the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with the VIDOE to meet our children’s nutrition needs. This increase is amazing news for families of school aged children of the Virgin Islands.”

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