WVU, local resources provide nutrition and food support for the community

According to Feeding America, one in eight individuals, including one in six children, in West Virginia are facing food insecurity – among the highest rates in the United States. In addition, the Mountain State’s rural geography contributes to food deserts, making healthy options less available, accessible and affordable for residents.

As part of National Public Health Week, individuals are reminded that food and nutrition are at the core of many public health concerns. To support the campus and local community, the West Virginia University School of Public Health has compiled a list of some programs providing food and nutrition resources.

Serving the campus community, WVU provides a variety of opportunities for students, faculty and staff to access nutritional support to meet their needs.

• Dietitian Services: Support for WVU students with dietary restrictions or allergies to achieve nutritional and wellness goals with the help of a registered dietitian.
• Dining Services: Providing balanced, nutritious meals and education about nutrition and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle for the WVU campus community.
• Farmers Market – Health Sciences Campus: Local farmers and vendors offering a variety of produce and other food items for purchase.
• Farmers Market – Mountainlair: Local farmers and vendors offering a variety of produce and other food items for purchase.
• The Rack: Non-perishable and perishable food items for all WVU students who are in need of assistance.
• The Rack II: Non-perishable and perishable food items for Health Sciences students and employees and WVU Medicine employees in need of assistance.

The University also provides a variety of resources for all individuals through the WVU Campus Food Garden and WVU Extension and WVU Medicine programs.

• WVU Campus Food Garden: Provides free or low-cost educational programming on a variety of food-focused topics, including gardening, foraging and food insecurity.
• WVU Extension Dining with Diabetes: Classes providing information on nutrition, meal planning, exercise and how to understand common diabetes-related medical tests.
• WVU Extension Family Nutrition Program: Numerous nutrition, food and physical activity projects designed to help limited-resource families, youths and adults improve their health.
• WVU Extension Grow a Row: Gardening for food banks service project to help address food insecurity throughout the Mountain State.
• WVU Medicine Diabetes Education Center: Dedicated staff of registered nurses, certified diabetes educators and dietitians who offer services for people with diabetes or who are at risk for developing diabetes.
• WVU Medicine Finding Wellness: Healthy lifestyle program for people who would like to make lifestyle changes in nutrition and eating patterns and increase physical activity.
• WVU Medicine Nutrition Counseling: Outpatient appointments with a registered dietitian nutritionist to help patients manage a range of conditions.

Serving Monongalia County, local resources are available for individuals who are food insecure.

• Catholic Charities of West Virginia: Several programs helping community members feed their families full, healthy meals.
• Christian Help Food Pantry: Offers a 3-5 day emergency supply of food, drink, baby and children's food, along with many other miscellaneous items when available, to families every 30 days.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program: West Virginia Department of Agriculture program working to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.
• Helpful Harvest Food Program: Food assistance program provided by the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.
• Mountaineer Food Bank: Provides food and other household items through an emergency food network in 48 counties including programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, backpack programs, senior programs and mobile pantries.
• Pantry Plus More: Non-profit organization operating free school pantries, food giveaways and health and wellness programs across Monongalia County.
• Scott's Run Settlement House: Numerous food and nutrition programs for Monongalia County residents who find themselves marginalized by economic hardship.
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Provides quality nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and education as well as health monitoring and nutritious foods.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Monthly benefits to help eligible households buy food.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Federal U.S. Department of Agriculture program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly individuals, by providing emergency food assistance at no cost.

Photo: WVU School of Public Health Student Ellie Nesbitt shares information about Panty Plus More’s programs during the School’s Community Resource Fair and Partner Recognition event as part of National Public Health Week. Nesbitt is completing her field placement experience at Pantry Plus More as part of her senior year capstone project. (WVU Photo/Davidson Chan)