Fairfax Food Council

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION:

703-246-8404
TTY 711

fairfaxfoodcouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov

10777 Main Street, Suite 325
Fairfax, VA 22030

Diane Charles,
Project Manager

Department Resources

Food Access & Literacy Work Group

The Food Access & Literacy Work Group works collaboratively to develop innovative initiatives to increase the number of healthy food access points in the Fairfax community in the areas of highest need.

The work group also facilitates collaborative initiatives to develop food literacy and nutrition education programming that is available and delivered through a variety of avenues.

Objectives

Increase access to fresh produce at farmers markets in low income communities by increasing the use of nutrition benefits at farmers markets through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) education, outreach and incentive program promotion.
Expand SNAP/Women, Infants and Children (WIC) acceptance at retail stores, particularly international markets in communities of need.
Encourage emergency food assistance sites to provide healthful eating and meal preparation educational resources to help youth and parents of young children make nutritious choices.
Develop culturally sensitive and age appropriate nutrition education programs with local schools and community partners in targeted areas.

FOOD RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS

Food security includes not only access to food, but the nutritional quality of that food as the foundation to overall health and wellness. Prior to the pandemic, while Fairfax County has traditionally had a low food-insecurity rate compared to other counties in the nation, it had the highest number of food insecure in Virginia. Now nearly 75,000 residents are food insecure and just under 60,000 children qualifying for free and reduced meals in Fairfax County Public Schools. Since the pandemic, it is estimated that the number of residents who are food insecure has doubled.

The most up-to-date source of food resources in Fairfax County can be found by linking to the food resources map below. The Fairfax Food Council continues to promote screening for food insecurity so Fairfax residents can be made aware of available food resources.

Find Fairfax Food Resources

Find food Providers Accepting Fresh Produce

See more ways You Can Help Fight Hunger in Fairfax County

See the Care to Share Food Waste Rescue toolkit

Virginia Fresh Match Markets in Fairfax County

Virginia Fresh Match doubles the value of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helping customers to afford healthy fruits and vegetables at Fairfax County Farmers Markets. When customers spend $20 with an EBT card, Virginia Fresh Match provides another $20 to spend on fresh fruits and veggies.

Farmers Markets in Fairfax County Participating in Virginia Fresh Match - English/Spanish

If you are a SNAP/EBT participant or a Senior FMNP participant, find out how to use Fresh Match at any FRESHFARM market. English/Spanish

Gleaning Fresh Produce in Fairfax County

This Gleaning Network map provides links to the Fairfax County Farmers Markets and the organizations who glean (i.e., collect) fresh produce from vendors at the markets and deliver it to community organizations.

Please consider helping to glean this fresh produce! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the organization directly using the information listed in the map. Tax credits may be available for produce donations. Learn more about Virginia Food Crop Donation Tax Credit Guidelines.

Thank you to Food for Others for coordinating and tracking these efforts.

Food Pantry Toolkit

Through a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, the FFC Food Literacy Work Group developed and piloted activities focused on healthy eating for food pantry clients. Family and youth centered materials include food demonstrations, table displays, children activities, handouts, giveaway ideas and even set-up ideas. Modules can be adapted for multiple settings.

Weekend Food Assistance Program

When the school week is over, many children in our community struggle with hunger on the weekends. Please see the following resources for information on starting or assisting with a weekend food assistance program for children in your community.

Power Pack Program (P3)

Power Pack Program (P3) was created to provide elementary-school children with a food pack for the weekend. Volunteers are needed to donate food for the packs, assemble the packs, and/or deliver the packs to elementary schools. For more information on this program you may contact Nikki Clifford at nclifford@foodforothers.org.

Food4Thought

Through its Food4Thought program, Britepaths partners with Parent Teacher Associations, social workers and staff at partner Fairfax County Public Schools to help them create packages of non-perishable foods and drinks to send home each weekend with children in their school who have been identified as having need for food assistance. Britepaths provides technical support to the schools and passes on donations (minus a minimal administrative fee) from community members who would like to help. For more information on this program you may contact Christina Garris at cgarris@britepaths.org.

2022 Meetings

The Food Access & Literacy Work Group meets the last Wednesday of each month from 10:30–11:30a.m.

To get on our monthly mailing list and learn the current location of our meeting, email HDFairfaxFoodCouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov. You can also check the Fairfax Food Council page for up-to-date meeting dates/locations.

Resources

Virginia Food Access Network
SNAP
WIC
Fairfax County Farmers Markets
Addressing Food Insecurity: A Toolkit for Pediatricians - American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food Research & Action Center
FeedVA
MyPlate
Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Food Volunteer Trainings
Healthy Eating on a Budget
MyPlate Kids' Place Games, Activity Sheets,Videos, Songs and More
Dr. Yum Meal Maker Machine
2019 Fairfax Food Equity Summit Resources