Empowering Arlington's Food Security: A Collaborative Approach

In a strategic move to address food insecurity within the community, the Arlington County Board has announced the allocation of $150,000 in one-time food security mini-grants to local non-profit organizations. These grants aim to support key initiatives outlined in the County's Food Security Strategic Plan, which was adopted in October 2022, further strengthening the region's commitment to ensuring access to nutritious and affordable food for all residents.

Unlocking Community-Driven Solutions for Lasting Impact

Expanding Reach and Empowering Youth

The Food For Neighbors organization has been awarded $11,500 to expand their program that provides teen-friendly food to middle and high schools, supporting students in need. By extending their services to an additional school, they will now be able to serve a total of 6 Arlington schools, ensuring more young individuals have access to the nourishment they require to thrive.

Cultivating Sustainable Community Gardens and Gleaning Efforts

Friends of Urban Agriculture has received $15,650 to hire an intern, bolstering their organizational capacity and sustainability. Additionally, the funding will be used to purchase supplies to support their Plot Against Hunger gardens and gleaning initiatives, which provide free produce to small, local food pantries, further strengthening the community's access to fresh, nutritious foods.

Expanding Meal Programs and Enhancing Food Pantry Operations

Kitchen of Purpose (Officially La Cocina VA) has been granted $16,500 to expand their Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), enabling them to serve meals at after-school programs in Arlington. This federal program reimburses 50% of the cost of afterschool meals for programs in high-need areas, ensuring more individuals have access to nourishing meals.Meals on Wheels of Arlington, VA has received $7,712 to provide a week's worth of shelf-stable meals to participants, safeguarding them in case of emergencies. This proactive measure helps to ensure food security for vulnerable residents during times of crisis.Mount Olivet United Methodist Church Community Assistance Program has been awarded $722 to purchase chicken on a bi-monthly basis, supplementing the resources they receive from the Capital Area Food Bank. Additionally, they will use the funds to purchase a new freezer to store the meat, optimizing their food distribution efforts.Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church Food Pantry has been granted $16,506 to replace and update their food pantry equipment, as well as to purchase additional produce to keep up with the increased number of participants they serve.Provision Church has been awarded $20,000 to support the launch of a community café at the Central United Methodist Church in Ballston, providing meals and case management services twice a week, with a particular focus on serving unhoused individuals.Randolph Elementary School Food Pantry has received $9,000 to purchase fresh produce, protein, and household necessities to distribute at their monthly school food distributions, supplementing the resources they receive from the Capital Area Food Bank.

Empowering Families through Nutrition Education and Culturally Relevant Foods

Real Food for Kids has been granted $18,000 to implement their Fresh Food Explorers program, an eight-week nutrition education initiative for VPI preschool students in four classes at two schools. This program will also provide weekly produce bags for the participating students' families during the program, fostering a holistic approach to food security.Saint George's Episcopal Church has been awarded $10,000 to purchase and provide fresh and culturally relevant foods to better support the increased number of participants they serve.

Ensuring Access and Dignity for Day Laborers

The Shirlington Employment and Education Center has been granted $24,410 to provide day laborers with 3 hot meals per week from local Latino restaurants during the winter months, when there is less availability of work. This initiative aims to address the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population, ensuring they have access to nourishing meals during periods of economic uncertainty.The County's broader work around food security began with an Urban Institute research report, "Improving Food Security and Access in Arlington County, Virginia," which surveyed 9,143 residents in key census tracts. Subsequent engagement activities were conducted through a Food Security Task Force, and later, the Food Security Coalition, which is tasked with implementing the strategic plan developed in response to the identified food security issues.The mini-grants review team, comprising county residents, food security experts, and county staff, carefully evaluated more than 31 grant proposals before recommending the 11 local non-profits to receive the funding. All funds must be spent in FY 2025, ensuring the immediate and impactful deployment of these resources.For individuals in need of food assistance, the County website provides a wealth of information and free resources. Additionally, those interested in joining the Food Security Coalition can find more details on the dedicated webpage, further strengthening the community's collective efforts to address food insecurity.