West Virginia and Kentucky Partner to Tackle Food Insecurity in Border Counties

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) have established a cross-border cooperative agreement to aid food-insecure residents in Mingo County, WV, and select parts of Pike County, KY. This first-of-its-kind initiative will enable residents in these counties to access USDA Foods across state lines, providing expanded food resources and filling nutritional gaps.

This initiative targets these rural areas, where limited access to nutritious food has long been a challenge for low-income residents.

The agreement, facilitated through Facing Hunger Food Bank in West Virginia and God’s Pantry Food Bank in Kentucky, allows for cross-border distribution of USDA Foods provided through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). TEFAP is a federal program designed to supplement the diets of low-income individuals by offering emergency food assistance at no cost.

Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, commended the collaborative effort.

“This partnership with Kentucky is crucial in ensuring no one goes hungry, regardless of state borders. By working together, we’re breaking down barriers to provide greater access to USDA Foods for those in need. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing food insecurity and supporting our vulnerable populations.”

This joint effort is expected to benefit over 370 households in Kentucky and West Virginia, providing a framework for future partnerships that address food insecurity on a broader scale.

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell echoed these sentiments, highlighting the teamwork required to finalize the agreement.

“I’m proud that two states, two food banks, and the USDA came together to make this agreement possible,” said Commissioner Shell. “This collaboration will allow more people in need to access healthy, nutritious food.”

Residents of the following areas are eligible for cross-border food assistance:

Mingo County, WV
Pike County, KY: ZIP codes 41503, 41527, 41528, 41531, 41535, 41544, and 41547

For more information, contact the WVDA TEFAP Coordinator Kate Hill at 304-558-0573.

L_R: Monique Feeny, Director, USDA Supplemental Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Mid-Atlantic Region; God’s Pantry Chief Executive Officer Mike Halligan; Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell; Facing Hunger Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Cindy Kirkhart; WV Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and Willie Taylor, USDA Regional Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, Southeast Region.
L-R: Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell and West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt shake hands after signing a landmark agreement allowing USDA Foods to be accessed across state lines through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), in partnership with Facing Hunger Food Bank (WV) and God’s Pantry Food Bank (KY).

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.