Virginia’s Food Distribution program manages the distribution of U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) donated foods and administrative funds to approximately 500 public and private entities
throughout Virginia. Recipients include Virginia's public and private schools, hospitals, nursing homes,
soup kitchens, elderly nutritional programs, correctional facilities, summer programs and day care
centers. Foods are also made available to food banks for distribution to Virginians in need.
This program proudly supports Virginia’s agriculture industry and markets Virginia products as
well as USDA-donated foods to schools and institutional buyers. Contact the Food Distribution program if
you have a product suitable for Virginia food service programs.
The Virginia Farm to School Program is transforming school cafeterias by connecting students, schools,
and local farmers. This initiative provides fresh, locally grown food to students across all educational
levels while supporting local agriculture.
The 9th Annual Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth Celebration will take place during Virginia Farm to
School week on Thursday, October 9th, 2025. All Virginians are encouraged to participate
in 2025 and "Crunch" a Virginia-grown apple. To register for the event and download the free
digital 2025 Crunch Toolkit and marketing materials, complete the Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth Registration Form.
Visit the Farm to School
webpage to learn more.
The Virginia Produce Incentive Program will enhance the buying power of participants using Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program funds for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. The applicant will need to
devise a plan to make fresh fruits and vegetables available at food stores, farmers markets, and other
locations for people with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT) benefits. The plan must
work in partnership with store outlets that will provide double the purchase of produce when purchasing
with SNAP/EBT. The applicant will be required to connect with local farmers to increase sales and
strengthen local food systems.
VDACS is seeking proposals from agencies that have the capacity to procure local foods from farmers and
growers to be distributed to persons in need or be provided to charitable food assistance organizations
that can distribute to persons in need across the state. View the guidelines for more information.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, is entering into a cooperative agreement with the Virginia Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Cooperative
Agreement. VDACS will develop and administer coordinated initiatives to build resilience across the
middle-of-the-food-supply-chain. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing,
manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced
food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food
products, excluding meat and poultry. VDACS will work in partnership with USDA to make competitive
subawards to support infrastructure in the middle-of-the-supply-chain for domestic food and farm
businesses and other eligible entities. Application period March 15th thru April 15th 2024.
Applications
Resources
VDACS is seeking applications from charitable food assistance organizations with a plan to engage local
farmers and growers to purchase agricultural products that will be distributed to persons in need.
VDACS is seeking proposals from charitable food assistance organizations with a plan to engage local
farmers and growers to purchase agricultural products that will be distributed to persons in need.
Inbound USDA food shipments for Virginia schools are available via Web-Based Supply Chain Management
(WBSCM).
Virginia's Food Distribution program offers further processing for many USDA commodities such as cheese,
fruits, meats and poultry. The option is offered to public schools as an alternative to receiving the
products directly from USDA.