Virginia Food Banks Turn to Local Farmers as Hunger Reaches Historic Levels

Food banks across Virginia are forging new partnerships with local growers as demand for food assistance hits unprecedented levels. More than 1 million Virginians experienced food insecurity in 2023, prompting organizations to seek fresh, nutritious options from area farms.

WASHINGTON—As hunger reaches unprecedented levels throughout Virginia, food assistance organizations are turning to regional farmers to help provide healthier options for families in need.

New federal dietary guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health & Human Services emphasize the importance of high-quality protein, dairy products, and fresh produce in combating poor nutrition outcomes nationwide.

“We know that eating well and eating good food is a critical part of your health journey,” said Eddie Oliver, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. “But access has to be part of the conversation when we talk about better health outcomes, because the most nutritious food is often the least affordable.”

Food insecurity affects millions of Americans annually, describing situations where people lack reliable access to sufficient food due to financial constraints. Research from Feeding America shows that individuals facing food insecurity experience higher rates of chronic illness and typically incur greater healthcare expenses compared to those with consistent food access.

Virginia recorded its highest food insecurity numbers in 2023, with more than 1 million residents affected according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap research.

Oliver reports that requests for food assistance through the federation’s seven regional food banks and their 1,150 partner pantries continue to climb.

Current food purchasing costs for the network have increased nearly fivefold since 2019, driven by inflation, reduced federal funding for food acquisition programs, and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

During the recent government shutdown, the organization exceeded its budget by approximately $3 million responding to what Oliver described as “the longest pantry lines we’ve seen in years—when folks were unsure if they were going to get their SNAP benefits, and we had a lot of layoffs.”

Virginia Department of Social Services data shows 850,500 state residents were participating in SNAP as of September 2025.

Oliver explained that accommodating SNAP reductions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would require the food bank network to “suddenly distribute twice as much food overnight.”

Dairy products, meat, protein sources, and fresh produce top the list of most-requested pantry items while remaining the most difficult to obtain. As retail grocery stores face their own supply challenges, the network increasingly relies on local agricultural producers for nutritious food options.

“It’s really remarkable that agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry, and yet we have over a million people who are food insecure,” Oliver observed. “We feel like we can support local economies and strengthen Virginia’s food system by buying from local producers.”

The federation strengthens farmer relationships through programs like Farms to Food Banks, which incorporates The Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program. VAFAP, managed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, provides compensation to farmers for products donated or sold to charitable food organizations.

Recent apple crop surpluses led to successful collaborations between the food bank network and Shenandoah Valley orchards, distributing quality apples to community members while reducing waste and supporting farmer income.

To meet protein demands, the network has obtained peanut butter from regional processors, locally-raised beef, and fresh milk through its Milk for Good initiative. A partnership with the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative and charitable contributions enabled the purchase of more than 30,000 half-gallon containers of milk over the past three months.

“Everyone loves the local connection,” Oliver noted. “Likewise, farmers are some of the most generous people in the state, and they’re always excited about the opportunity to partner with food banks, because they know it’s going to help families in their communities.”

Oliver highlighted that VAFAP can combine with the state’s food crop donation tax credit, providing farmers with 50% farm market value for nutritious foods donated to food banks. Donors may claim up to $10,000 annually in tax credits.

Agricultural producers interested in collaborating with the food bank network should contact Oliver at eoliver@vafoodbanks.org or 785-220-7708.

Community members can best support these efforts through financial contributions and volunteering at local food banks and pantries.

Additional information is available at vafoodbanks.org.

Media inquiries: Contact Oliver at 785-220-7708.