Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that ten projects across Virginia will receive more than $1 million in grants from the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (VFAIF). The funding aims to improve food security by supporting retailers and organizations that increase access to fresh food in underserved communities.
This year, the VFAIF program was expanded to include large-scale grocery retailers, allowing for greater investment in projects that can serve more residents. Grants are awarded to projects with a retail component that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and participate in the Virginia Fresh Match program, which doubles SNAP dollars spent on Virginia-grown fruits and vegetables.
“These VFAIF grant awards are an investment in our communities and serve as a tremendous step forward in addressing food insecurity in the Commonwealth. In addition, we are supporting local agriculture and using the state’s largest private industry to create economic opportunities that strengthen our food infrastructure,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The VFAIF began as a program offering reimbursable grants of up to $50,000 for small food retailers and innovative retail projects serving low-income areas. With this year’s expansion, large-scale grocery stores exceeding 15,000 square feet can now qualify for grants up to $250,000.
Among the recipients is Wakefield Market, which received $245,000 to increase storage capacity with a new freezer. The Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Caucus was awarded $250,000 for launching a food hub with multiple storage and processing units. E. Palmer Supermarket received $237,500 for refrigeration upgrades and accessibility improvements.
Other grantees include Pamplin Community Market ($23,660), Browntown Farms ($41,785), Mor-Industries LLC ($45,000), Esther Manor Farms ($48,000), Mighty Thundercloud Forest ($50,000), Darnell’s Garden Patch ($49,000), and Black Swan Youth Venture Hub ($47,503). These projects focus on expanding cold storage facilities, increasing retail capacity for local products, improving infrastructure for sales management and outreach, and providing educational opportunities related to agriculture.
The state’s investment through VFAIF is intended not only to reduce food insecurity but also to support local farmers and businesses by strengthening the supply chain for fresh produce throughout Virginia.
