Bowling Green, KY, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Bowling Green Independent School District has received a $130,000 grant from the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to combat food insecurity among students. This funding aims to increase healthy food options and provide meals for elementary students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. In Kentucky, over 210,000 children face food insecurity, prompting BGISD to prioritize nourishing children. The grant will allow schools to introduce diverse produce, while local efforts, including a new hub facility by Feeding America, support community nutritional needs. Potential federal budget cuts pose challenges for school meal programs.
Bowling Green—In a significant move to combat food insecurity among children, the Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD) has received a nearly $130,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. This funding will provide meals and expand healthy food options for students in elementary schools, where a substantial percentage of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
The issue of food insecurity is pressing in Kentucky, where over 210,000 children face uncertain access to food, placing the state 45th in the nation for child food insecurity, according to Feeding America. BGISD is determined to address these statistics, with its Director of Food Service Operations highlighting the mission of nourishing children as a top priority.
This grant is aimed at increasing the availability of diverse fruits and vegetables, intending to not only provide sustenance but also educate children about healthy food choices. In previous years, four out of BGISD’s elementary schools qualified for the grant, and this year, Potter Grey was added based on eligibility criteria. Schools qualify when 50% or more of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
With this grant, participating schools will offer unique fruit and vegetable options, including dragon fruit and star fruit, providing approximately $50 worth of produce per student. BGISD is also part of the National School Lunch Program, ensuring that all K-12 students receive free breakfast and lunch daily.
In conjunction with the grant’s news, the community observed Hunger Action Month in September, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by Feeding America. Local efforts included packing bags of fresh produce for distribution through various Warren County agency partners, highlighting the area’s pressing need, which includes over 21,000 food-insecure individuals, more than 6,000 of whom are children. Due to rising inflation, families are reportedly spending over $200 more each month to maintain their living standards.
Support from local businesses, such as Houchens Food Group, further reinforces the community’s commitment to addressing nutritional needs. This commitment coincides with the announcement of a new 12,000-square-foot hub facility by Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland in Bowling Green. This facility, set to enhance food acquisition and distribution across a broad 42-county area, aligns with the organization’s record from fiscal year 2025, where it distributed over 20 million pounds of food, constituting approximately 17 million meals.
The new hub will also focus on food rescue efforts, aiming to reduce waste while increasing the frequency of fresh food availability. In Bowling Green, the ongoing challenge continues as 21,830 individuals, including 6,400 children, grapple with food insecurity, highlighting the critical need for initiatives like these.
However, these programs face potential jeopardy due to proposed federal budget cuts that could impact safety net programs essential for students. These reductions could threaten the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) that allows schools with a high percentage of students qualifying for assistance to offer free meals. Over 92% of Kentucky schools were eligible for this program in 2023, meaning changes could significantly disrupt meal access for those reliant on these benefits.
As federal discussions continue, Emerson emphasized that meals are foundational for children’s health and development, underscoring the belief that no child should have to learn on an empty stomach. The situation remains critical, with financial pressures looming over school meal programs due to potential changes in reimbursement rates under CEP.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the USDA grant received by BGISD?
The USDA grant aims to provide meals and expand healthy food options in BGISD’s elementary schools, particularly increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables to combat food insecurity among students.
How many children in Kentucky face food insecurity?
Over 210,000 children in Kentucky face food insecurity, making the state rank 45th in the nation regarding this issue.
What new facility is Feeding America opening in Bowling Green?
Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland is opening a new 12,000-square-foot hub facility to enhance food acquisition and distribution efforts throughout a 42-county service area.
What challenges do school meal programs face?
School meal programs may face challenges due to proposed federal budget cuts affecting safety net programs, which could threaten the free meal access provided under the Community Eligibility Provision.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | $130,000 |
| Focus of Grant | Expanding healthy food options in elementary schools |
| Number of Food-Insecure Children in Kentucky | Over 210,000 |
| New Feeding America Hub Size | 12,000 square feet |
| Projected Food Distribution FY 2025 | 20 million pounds, equivalent to 17 million meals |
| Families Spending More Monthly | Over $200 due to inflation |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Bowling Green Schools and FAKH Combat Food Insecurity
Bowling Green Experiences Surge in Unsheltered Homelessness
Bowling Green Schools to Receive Fresh Fruit Program Funding
Bowling Green, Kentucky Expands Food Distribution Efforts
Rising Food Insecurity Shakes the Community
Feeding America Expands Operations with New Hub in Bowling Green
Bowling Green Expands Food Support with New Feeding America Hub
New Hub Facility to Combat Food Insecurity in Bowling Green
New Warren Elementary School Opens in Bowling Green, KY
Stuff the Bus Foundation Provides School Supplies to Students
Additional Resources
- WBKO: Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland Celebrates Hunger Action Month
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- Kentucky Today: Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland to Open Bowling Green Hub
- Google Search: Hunger Action Month
- WBKO: Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland Announces New Bowling Green Food Distribution Hub
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Security
- BG Daily News: Proposed Cuts to Medicaid/SNAP Threaten K-12 Meals
- Google News: Food Insecurity Kentucky
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
