The Office of Food Distribution manages the distribution of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds and food supplies to institutions and organizations across the Commonwealth. The USDA programs have a dual mission to nourish people in need and support American agriculture. Each program serves a specialized audience to meet the food needs of Virginia’s vulnerable residents.

Individuals and households in need of food assistance can visit the Federation of Virginia Food Banks to find a food bank near you.

All USDA programs are subject to the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement.

For Food Banks and Institutions

The Emergency Food Assistance Program

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. The commodity foods provided by the USDA are 100% American-grown. In Virginia, TEFAP provides food to all seven regional food banks, which supply approximately 500 local food banks and other food distribution partners. Other TEFAP recipients include state hospitals, nursing homes, soup kitchens, and elderly nutritional programs.

• TEFAP State Plan of Operation (PDF)

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of people who are at least 60 years of age, with low-income, by supplementing their diets with nutritious food. CSFP in Virginia supplies six regional food banks with USDA foods that feed approximately 10,000 Virginians over the age of 62 every month.

• CSFP State Plan of Operation (PDF)

For Schools

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The NSLP provides USDA foods to 132 school districts in Virginia, which operate approximately 6,458 public schools in addition to some private schools and juvenile correctional facilities.

• Commodity Offering for 2026 / 2027 (PDF)
• USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Processing Catalog – 2026 / 2027 (PDF)
• NSLP USDA Foods Product Information Sheets
• Web Based Supply Chain Management

Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free meals to children in low-income areas through eligible organizations, primarily in the summer months when most schools are closed for instruction. SFSP sites include schools, camps, parks, playgrounds, housing projects, community centers, churches, and other public sites where children gather in the summer. SFSP provides USDA foods to more than 50 agencies and school districts in Virginia.

Farm to School

The Virginia Farm to School Program provides fresh, locally grown food to students across all educational levels, supporting student health as well as Virginia’s farmers.

Food Distribution Grants

Virginia Produce Incentive Program Grant — Status | Open

The Virginia Produce Incentive Program seeks to enhance the buying power of participants using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Electronic Benefits Transfer (SNAP/EBT) 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 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. The annual application period opens in summer/fall.

• Incentive Program Guidelines and Instructions (PDF)

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Grant — Status | Closed

The USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program works 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 works 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. The annual application period opens in the spring.

Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program (VAFAP) Grant — Status | Closed

The Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program (VAFAP) grants funds to charitable food assistance organizations with a plan to engage local farmers and growers to purchase agricultural products that will be distributed to Virginia residents in need.

Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (VFAIF) Grant — Status | Closed

The Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (VFAIF) seeks to support local food systems by investing in projects that improve retail access to fresh foods in low-income areas with poor access to these foods. VFAIF awards grants of up to $50,000 for construction, rehabilitation, equipment upgrades, or expansion of grocery stores, small food retailers, or innovative food retail projects in underserved, resource-limited communities. VFAIF-funded projects must have a retail component, accept federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and participate in the Virginia Fresh Match nutrition incentives program.