Hunger in Virginia

Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive.

While Virginians are working hard to provide for themselves and their families, just over 1,000,000 people—that’s one in 8 Virginians—are still facing hunger. As food prices and household expenses like rent and healthcare remain high, the end of pandemic-era assistance programs adds to challenges.

Virginia’s food insecurity rate is 12.1%

1 in 8 Virginians do not always have enough money or food to make ends meet

1 in 7 Children

experience food insecurity

Black and Hispanic households are more than twice as likely to experience food insecurity than white households

Eight of the 10 localities

with the highest rates of food insecurity are rural and are concentrated in the Southwest region

$1,500 more

Hunger is associated with poor health outcomes, and food-insecure individuals pay about $1,500 more on healthcare each year

While seniors are slightly less likely to face hunger than younger people, only 2 out of 5 eligible seniors are enrolled in SNAP

Virginia’s food banks are stepping up like never before.

Together, we served 175 million pounds of groceries in 2024. We advocate for strong anti-hunger policies and work with many partners—from farmers to healthcare providers—to ensure fewer Virginians find themselves in need.