Over 118,000 people in Fairfax County experience hunger or food insecurity, an increase from the previous year (Feeding America). As costs for food, housing, and other goods and services continue to rise in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County provides access to essential programs to ensure all individuals and families thrive and no one goes hungry.

Wait – what do we mean by hunger or food insecurity?

Food insecurity is commonly described as “being unable to afford balanced meals, cutting the size of meals, or being hungry because of too little money for food.” (USDA report, 2022)

Experiencing hunger does not mean the household will never be able to afford food without assistance. The amount of money individuals and families have available to purchase food can change for lots of different reasons and sometimes change quickly without notice.

Hunger can have serious effects on physical and mental health, relationships, and household stability. 

During Hunger Action Month 2026, join us as we spotlight how to access food assistance and fight hunger in Fairfax County. Many people don’t know how widespread this critical issue is in our community, so help spread the word with our community engagement toolkit. 

Have you heard of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP provides food benefits to help buy groceries to ensure children and families have nutritious meals to stay healthy. 

In Fairfax County, over 48,000 residents across more than 25,000 households participate in SNAP, but even more are eligible.

Quick Facts About SNAP:

• You can apply online, by phone, by mail, or in-person. If you need assistance with a language other than English, contact the Enterprise Call Center at 1-833-522-5582. Learn more about how to apply for SNAP and other benefits.
• Participants receive SNAP funds on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to purchase eligible grocery items in-store at authorized retailers, online for delivery at select retailers, and some local farmers markets. Five farmers’ markets in Fairfax County even match SNAP dollars spent on produce so your dollars go farther!
• New EBT chip cards are coming this fall, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is replacing all magnetic stripe EBT cards with chip-enabled cards that support both tap and chip-insert transactions. This is a major step toward protecting customer benefits and reducing fraud. Learn more about the new EBT chip cards.
• Keep your EBT card secure. Like any debit card, scammers target EBT cards to steal SNAP funds. Keep your PIN secret and change it frequently. Check your EBT account regularly and know your balance, so you can quickly identify unusual activity. Even though the new chip cards are more secure, it’s worth it to protect your benefits with simple steps.
• Nearly 1 in 2 older adults who qualify for SNAP are missing out. Older adults may have eligible medical expenses that would increase their monthly SNAP benefit. Our Human Service Workers can talk you through the application to determine if you may qualify.
• If your child participates in the free and reduced-price meal plan at school, they may also be eligible for SNAP benefits. To apply for eligible family members, mark yourself as a “non-applicant” on forms.
• SNAP participants have access to employment and job training assistance through the SNAPET program. SNAPET provides a wide range of supportive services, coaching, and education and skills training.

If you think you may be eligible for SNAP, you can check online at CommonHelp or by contacting Public Assistance and Employment Services in the Department of Family Services at DFSMyCase@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7500, TTY 711.