Does your region have low access to fresh food?
It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to eat local food.
- Low Income Food Programs: WIC, EBT and SNAP Programs
- Tips for Eating More Local Foods on a Budget
- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers tips on how to eat healthy without breaking the bank. And eating local is one of the best ways to eat healthy!
- As you try to stretch your food dollar, consider the economic impact on your local community by buying local.
- Let us know if your region has little access to fresh food.
Look into a nearby Gleaning Program
Gleaning is a concept that puts people into fields to pick fruits and vegetables that remain after harvest. Many of this food may be unmarketable or not worth picking for the farmer. However, gleaners harvest this perfectly edible food and donate it to local assistance agencies that distribute it through their network of social service programs. Gleaners are volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
Gleaners are often encouraged to take food back to agencies or programs that they support in their local area. In addition, growers can receive a 10% tax credit for the crops they permit to be gleaned. To learn about Gleaning Programs in Virginia visit the Society of Saint Andrew, which operates a network of gleaning volunteers.
Activism
And if you want to get involved in making local food more affordable to all Virginians, check out Food First, which works to eliminate the injustices that cause hunger.