Kentucky to be part of 10-state learning lab on reducing childhood hunger

Will look at state strategies

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 16, 2017) — The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) has selected Kentucky as one of 10 states to participate in a learning lab on state strategies to reduce childhood hunger.

Through participation in the learning lab, state teams will examine how Virginia leverages public-private partnerships to ensure school age children have regular access to healthy meals and increased participation in child nutrition programs. They will discuss strategies such as communicating and collaborating to reduce hunger, expanding access to school breakfast, supporting innovation in summer meal programs, and streamlining eligibility determination for free meals.

NGA learning labs provide an opportunity for a limited number of state teams to visit a state that is successfully implementing an innovative practice. States participating in the learning lab will have the opportunity to meet in Virginia to learn about best practices for providing healthy meals to school-age children, get an assessment of the degree of childhood hunger present in their own states for policymaking, and receive assistance developing a plan for reducing childhood hunger.

The NGA Center is conducting this learning lab in collaboration with Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit focused on ending child hunger through its No Kid Hungry campaign.