Hunger affects people of all ages and backgrounds throughout our community. The 2026 Virginia Hunger Study provides new insights into the challenges our neighbors face and the role we can all play in improving access to nutritious food.
40%of local households experienced food insecurity |
44%of local households with children experienced food insecurity |
92%of food-insecure households reported major strain from grocery prices |
51%of food-insecure households accessed charitable food |
Food insecurity occurs when people have inadequate or uncertain access to enough safe, nutritious food for an active, healthy life.
It can mean worrying about running out of groceries, reducing the variety or quality of food purchased, skipping meals or going without food altogether.
Food insecurity is not always visible, and households may experience it even when they do not regularly seek food assistance.
Higher grocery prices, housing expenses, utilities and transportation costs can place substantial pressure on household budgets. When these expenses compete with one another, maintaining access to nutritious food becomes more difficult.
Accessing assistance can present its own challenges. Transportation, distribution hours, uncertainty about eligibility and discomfort seeking help may prevent households from using available resources.
Nutritious food plays an essential role in maintaining health and managing chronic conditions. Statewide research shows that adults experiencing food insecurity face greater difficulty accessing healthy food.
The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank works alongside a network of community partners to help our neighbors access nutritious food.
Our work extends beyond food distribution. Through partnerships, nutrition-focused initiatives, SNAP outreach and efforts to reduce barriers to assistance, we're working to strengthen food security throughout our region.
The Virginia Hunger Study, together with feedback from our neighbors, helps us adapt our programs and identify opportunities to serve our community better.
Whether you're looking for food assistance, interested in volunteering or considering a donation, there are many ways to connect with our work.
Locate food assistance and other resources in your community.
Learn how donations, food drives and volunteering support our neighbors.
Read the statewide study and learn more about food insecurity in Virginia
