Food Insecurity Report: Understanding the Disparities and Experiences of Hunger Across the City of Alexandria
Food Insecurity Report: Understanding the Disparities and Experiences of Hunger Across the City of Alexandria was commissioned by the City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), with funding from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation. See What I Mean Consulting (SWIM) was selected through an open request for proposals process in early 2023. In collaboration with the DCHS Food Security Coordinator, they analyzed city data, researched client experience, and crafted this report. The purpose of this report is to assess the realities and resources of food insecurity that exist in Alexandria by looking at the overall economic and food landscape, as well as the experiences of people accessing services.
Read the full report.
Read the Executive Summary.
We'd love to hear your feedback, please share.
Alexandria Food Resource Directory
Food Assistance Resources
Benefits
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Formerly known as food stamps, assists individuals and families who are unable to purchase sufficient food for themselves by issuing an electronic benefit (EBT) card to purchase eligible food items.
855.635.4370
4850 Mark Center Drive, 5th Floor, Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5p.m.
SNAP Double Dollar Program
Incentive program that allows SNAP recipients who visit participating farmers markets to receive up to $30 in matching dollars to purchase eligible food products at the market.
703.746.5700
alexandriava.gov/FarmersMarket
- Old Town Farmers Market: Market Square (301 King St), Sat, 7 a.m.-12 p.m., year round
- Old Town North Farmers Market: Montgomery Park (901 North Royal St)
- Thurs, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Mar-Sept
- Sun, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., year round
- Southern Towers Farmers Market: Southern Towers (5067 Seminary Rd), Sat & Sun, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., year round
- Four Mile Run Farmers Market: Four Mile Run Park (4109 Mount Vernon Ave), Sun, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., year round
Farm Market Fresh Senior & WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Farm Market Fresh program, also known as the Senior & WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (S/FMNP) provides vouchers to older adults 60 years of age or older and families that receive WIC. Vouchers can be used to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, and cut herbs.
Vouchers can be acquired from the Department of Community and Human Services, 4850 Mark Center Drive, 9th Floor, Wed, 8am-5pm. They must be used June 1st-November 18th.
Vendors must have a sign indicating that the participate in the program. Participating vendors at:
- Old Town North Farmers Market: Montgomery Park (901 North Royal St)
- Thurs, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Mar-Sept
- Sun, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., year round
- Four Mile Run Farmers Market: Four Mile Run Park (4109 Mount Vernon Ave), Sun, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., year round
- West End Farmers Market: Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Dr), Sun, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Apr-Nov
- Southern Towers Farmers Market: Southern Towers (5067 Seminary Rd), Sat & Sun, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., year round
Division of Aging & Adult Services
Senior Congregate Meals are served at two locations, both centers offer a hot lunch Monday through Friday, except for holidays. There is no cost for meals for persons aged 60 or older. Must pre-register.
- St. Martins Senior Center (4650 Taney Ave), 703.751.2766, Mon-Fri, 12-1 p.m.
- Charles Houston Senior Center (901 Wythe St), 703.746.5456, Mon-Fri, 12-12:30 p.m.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
Provides nutritious food benefits, nutrition counseling, promotes breast/chest feeding, and provides breast/chest feeding support to pregnant, postpartum, and breast/chest feeding parents, and for infants and children up to the age of 5 years. WIC also issues free breast pumps to eligible breast/chest feeding parents. All services are by appointment only, any custodial parent may apply for children.
Appointments: 703.746.4998
- Main Office: 4850 Mark Center Drive, 3rd Floor, Mon-Fri, by appointment
- Neighborhood Health: 2 East Glebe Road, Mon-Fri, by appointment
- Casey: 1200 N. Howard Street, Suite 105, Mon-Fri, by appointment
Alexandria City Public Schools Free and Reduced Price Meals
Parents who believe their children may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals complete a FARM application. Applications can be acquired from the school or online. Only one application is needed per family, a new application is required every school year. Foster children and children experiencing homelessness are categorically eligible for free meal benefits.
Free breakfast and lunch will be provided to all students attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school; families of students attending these CEP schools do not need to complete an application:
- ACHS King Street Campus
- ACHS Minnie Howard Campus
- Cora Kelly School for Math, Science, & Technology
- Jefferson Houston PreK-8 IB School
- Ferdinand T. Day Elementary
- John Adams Elementary
- Early Childhood Center
- Francis C. Hammond Middle School
- Patrick Henry K-8 School
- James K. Polk Elementary
- William Ramsay Elementary
- Samuel Tucker Elementary
703.619.8048
acps.k12.va.us/families/enrollment/homeless-education-liaison-program-help
CommonHelp & SNAP
The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid programs aid households in need of food, medical insurance and/or cash assist for families with dependent children. To apply for any of these benefits, visit CommonHelp.virginia.gov or call 703.746.5700. (Read FAQs regarding SNAP and Medicaid.) Learn more at:
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Medicaid
Food Distribution, Prepared Meals, Pets and Other Resources
ALIVE! Weekend Food Distribution
5-day supply of fresh produce, meat, eggs, bread, and staple food distribution. No registration needed. Distributions are for Alexandria Residents and proof of residency may be requested.
703.837.9321 for general information
Dates may change, see most recent schedule at alive-inc.org/food-program-in-alexandria-virginia
Last Sat of month, Jan-Apr & Jun- Oct, 8:30 -10:30 a.m.
Second Saturday of the month, May, Nov, Dec (months where the last Saturday is a Federal Holiday Weekend)
- Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 Reed Ave)
- (DASH Line 36A/B)
- William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave)
- (DASH Line 35)
ALIVE! Food Hubs
ALIVE! Food Hubs offer free food, personal items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, and referrals to other services once a month. ALIVE! Food Hubs are for City of Alexandria residents. Proof of Alexandria residency may be requested.
703.549.3692
alive-inc.org/food-program-in-alexandria-virginia
- West End Food Hub: 510-F South Van Dorn Street, Tues-Thurs, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.), Sat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- (DASH Line 30, 32, & 35)
- Del Rey: 2601 Mt Vernon Ave, Tues-Thurs, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.), Sat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- (DASH Line 33, Metrobus 10A/B)
- (DASH Line 33, Metrobus 10A/B)
ALIVE! Food Pop-Ups
Provides bags of food to specific neighborhoods and apartment buildings, in collaboration with our community partners, in the parking lot at each pop-up location. Drive-through and walk-up service available depending on site.
Dates may change, see most recent schedule at alive-inc.org
- Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Rd), 2nd Thursday of the month, 4-6 p.m. (DASH Line 36A/B & 102, Metrobus 28A)
- Fairlington United Methodist Church (3900 King St), 3rd Saturday of the month, 8-10 a.m. (DASH Line 31 & 36A/B)
- UNCUT Youth (1501 Cameron St), 3rd Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (DASH Line 30, 31 & King Street Trolley)
Historic Christ Church Lazarus Food Pantry
Provides perishable and non-perishable food (and toiletries once a month). Requires sign-in by name, bring a bag if you can.
703.549.1450, then press 2
118 N. Washington Street
Thurs, 9-10 a.m.
CCDA Alexandria Food Pantry (formerly CCDA St. Lucy Food Pantry at Christ House)
Provides perishable and non-perishable foods, including fresh produce, dairy, meat, and traditional staples such as cereal, canned vegetables, rice, and beans. Clients are eligible to receive food once per month. Bring photo ID, proof of address & dependents’ identification.
703-548-4227
AROpantry@ccda.net
ccda.net/need-help/food/food-pantries/alexandria-food-pantry
Eisenhower Business Park, 4725A Eisenhower Ave
Wed-Thurs, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., please arrive by 12:30
Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry
Provides food staples to low-income families and individuals.
703.549.1980
gracealex.org/service/local-missions/food-ministries
3601 Russell Rd
Tues & Fri, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
West End Food Pantry
Provides perishable and non-perishable foods, receive a prepared amount of food, specific to family size.
5150 Fillmore Ave (DASH Line 31, Metrobus 28A)
Monday 5-6:30 p.m.
Cora Kelly Recreation Center
Seasonal food distribution open to all, bring a bag.
703.887.4992
25 W Reed Ave
2nd Friday each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oakland Baptist Church
703.998.9006
3408 King St (DASH Line 31 & 36A/B)
1st & 3rd Friday each month, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church Food Pantry
Provides healthy and nutritious food options, bring a bag. Must register each week by Wednesday.
317 N. Payne St (DASH Line 30, 31 & King Street Trolley)
Free Little Pantry
Grassroots crowdsourced mini pantry for immediate and local need. Always open to take or leave food.
- Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St
- William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Ave
- Dale Street Community Garden, 65 Dale St
- Alexandria Country Day School, 2500 Russell Rd (in front of the soccer field)
- St. Rita's Catholic Church, 3704 Mt Vernon Ave (rear corner of parking lot)
- Woodlawn Elementary, 8505 Highland Ln
- Duke Street, 2647 Duke St
- Chirilagua, 3907 Bruce St
- Girl Scout Troop 1444, 6120 N. Kings Hwy
- Fairlington Presbyterian Church (3846 King Street)
Prepared Meals
Christ House Evening Meal
Evening meal for homeless and low-income individuals; dinners are to-go meals and can be picked up every night, in all weather conditions. Guests may begin to arrive at 4:30 p.m. and arrive by 5:30 p.m. in order to be served with Hot Meal to-go bag. Guests who arrive after 5:30 p.m. may be served if there still available to-go hot meal bag, otherwise non-perishable meal bag will be available for the late guest.
703.549.8644
ccda.net/need-help/food/christ-house-evening-meal
131 S West St
Daily, 5-5:30 p.m.
Meade Memorial Episcopal Church Food Programs
All food programs take place between 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. No ID required.
703.549.1334
322 N Alfred St
- Bag Lunch Program, Mon-Fri, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Saturday Hot Meal Program, Sat (Oct-April), 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Open Table
Shared breakfast ministry, breakfast open to all.
wsumc.com/engagement/open-table
oldtown.cc/get-connected/open-table
- Washington Street United Methodist, Mon & Fri, 6-8 a.m.
- Blue and White Carry Out (1024 Wythe Street), Tues, 8-10 a.m.
- Old Town Community Church, Wed, 6-8 a.m.
- Old Presbyterian Meeting House, Thurs, 6-8 a.m.
YMCA Food Pantry
School-age children can receive 7 breakfast meals and 7 lunch meals every week.
703.838.8085.
420 East Monroe Ave
Mondays, 4-6 p.m.
Food Delivery
ALIVE! Home Delivery Food Program
3-day supply of groceries delivered once a month to older adults, people with disabilities, or single parents with young children who are homebound. Resident must be home at the time of the delivery. Referrals taken from local social service agencies and ALIVE! congregations. Self-referrals can be made one-time.
703.549.3692
alive-inc.org/food-program-in-alexandria-virginia
Weekdays, mid-day
Meals on Wheels
Administered by Divisions of Aging & Adult Services and Senior Services of Alexandria. Provides meals to Alexandria seniors who are unable to leave their homes to shop or have difficulty preparing a meal. Two healthy meals a day delivered to their homes, $12 a day.
703.836.4414, ext. 112
Delivered daily, mornings-midday
seniorservicesalex.org/programs/meals-on-wheels
Subsidized meals available through the Division on Aging and Adult Services, call to see if you qualify.
703.746.5999
alexandriava.gov/older-adult-services/program/nutrition-health
Senior Services of Alexandria Groceries to Go
Screened volunteers deliver groceries based off the grocery recipient’s personal shopping list. There are no delivery fees, and no minimum order requirements. To be eligible, you must be a resident of the City of Alexandria, be at least 60 years old, and have a debit, credit, or EBT card.
703.836.4414, ext. 112
seniorservicesalex.org/programs/groceries-to-go
Year-round, every other week
Mother of Light Center
Deliver food, clothing, and household items to those in need.
703.307.5902
Year-round, Mon-Sat
Other
2-1-1 Virginia
Free service individuals or families in need of additional food or other resources. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call 2.1.1
Hunger Free Alexandria
Community-based coalition of food providers, faith-based communities, schools, social service organizations, and advocates for ending hunger, web page lists various types of food providers.
703.662.1067
hungerfreealexandria@gmail.com
Too Good to Go
Purchase surplus food and meals from local stores and restaurants at a discounted price and save it from going to waste.
App available in Apple App Store, Google Play, & Huawei AppGallery
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Provides free pet food and other supplies for people in need.
(703) 746-4774
community@alexandriaanimals.org
Food Access Alexandria Newsletter
The official communication on hunger, food access, and food security from the Department of Community & Human Services.
Previous Issues