The debate continues across the Mountain State after a resolution was introduced in the House of Delegates this week that, if approved, would make the pepperoni roll West Virginia’s official state food.
“People are passionate about food, for sure,” West Virginia Living Editor Nikki Bowman said on Wednesday’s MetroNews Talkline.
“It’s part of our heritage. When you think about things that make us who we are, food is an important part of that.”
Bowman says West Virginia Living recently conducted an online poll on the state’s food favorites.
“Pinto beans and cornbread won. It beat pepperoni rolls as the favorite West Virginia food,” Bowman said. Others have suggested ramps, biscuits and gravy, buckwheat cakes or deer jerky as possible official foods.
“These are things that do speak to our heritage and what makes us unique,” she said.
The lead sponsor for the pepperoni roll resolution is Boone County Delegate Josh Nelson. The co-sponsors are Delegate Mike Caputo and Delegate Tim Manchin, both from Marion County, along with Harrison County Delegate Richard Iaquinta.
Fairmont is known as the place where the pepperoni roll was first invented.
Food is already partly addressed in state law.
The golden delicious apple is West Virginia’s official state fruit. The Legislature adopted a resolution declaring as much in 1995.