How Virginia Fresh Match is Expanding to Serve Our Community
With grocery prices up 23% since 2020, nearly half of Virginia families are being forced to cut back on fresh produce due to rising costs. Across the state, families face impossible choices between food, rent, and other essentials. As economic pressures mount and SNAP benefits face potential cuts, local solutions have become more vital than ever.
Virginia Fresh Match is a program dedicated to improving food access while simultaneously bolstering local economies. According to their recently released 2024 Impact Report, Virginia Fresh Match helped double over $2 million in SNAP benefits at farmers markets and local food retailers last year alone. This impactful initiative directly empowers low-income households, helping them stretch tight budgets without sacrificing nutritional quality.
With ongoing uncertainty surrounding federal funding for food access programs and local agriculture, initiatives like Virginia Fresh Match play a crucial role in bridging the gap. Not only does the program make healthy, locally-grown produce more accessible for families, but it also ensures that food dollars remain within Virginia communities, supporting local farmers and businesses.
Virginia Fresh Match continues to expand its reach, striving for another successful year of connecting communities statewide with fresh, nutritious, locally-produced food. At a time when every dollar counts, the program’s dedication to food security and community resilience provides hope—and healthier choices—to thousands across Virginia.
Interested in learning more or sharing your own experiences with Virginia Fresh Match? Reach out to info@virginiafreshmatch.org.
