Judiciary panel allows relaxed K-12 nutrition standards during states of emergency

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill Friday that would allow school nutritional guideline leniency during declared states of emergency or states of preparedness.

Sen. Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, asked if the bill was in response to an incident and what the deviations would entail.

"What are we trying to do? If there is a State of Emergency are we trying to just throw a bunch of Cheetos at them?," he joked.

Legal counsel for the Senate said he understood some schools were closed during previous disasters only because they were unable to meet legislative nutritional guidelines. He also said principals would still have the authority to determine if the food served was safe and proper, even if it fell outside the standards.

Sen. Robert Karnes, R-Upshur, said some schools in Kanawha County were closed during last year's water crises because military MRE meals (Meals Ready to Eat) did not meet the school nutrition standards.

Mike Romano, D-Harrison, said a similar incident occurred after the 2012 derecho.