National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services and the Office for Children participate in several programs promoting good nutrition for Fairfax County residents.

NCS offers the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program through its Head Start, School Age Child Care (SACC), and NCS Community Center programs. This program helps ensure that children receive healthy meals and snacks while in child care.

For children ages 5-18, select NCS Community Centers, Teen Centers, and SACC Centers participate in the Summer Food Service Program, which provides nutritious meals and snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months and long vacations when school is not in session.

NCS also provides meals for older adults through our Congregate Meal Program, which provides prepared lunches for participants and guests at Senior Centers. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance at the center where you want to be served. The cost of lunch for participants ages 50 to 59 is $8.50 per meal; a meal donation is suggested for participants ages 60 and over.

To educate residents on nutrition, the Fairfax County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension offers food, nutrition, and health programs that teach families how to make healthier food choices and become better managers of available food resources. Our programs focus on basic nutrition, physical activity, safe food handling, and thrifty food shopping.

Finally, the Office for Children promotes nutrition among child care providers through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Family child care providers who have a current Fairfax County child care permit or state license can join this program and receive reimbursement for some of the cost of providing healthy meals and snacks to children in their care. They also receive nutrition education and technical assistance.

For additional community food distribution sites outside NCS, including Fairfax County Public Schools grab & go locations, community meal distribution, and food pantries, visit the Fairfax County Food Resources map or the FCPS Food for Students site.