Nearly $350,000 to go towards food access in Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Almost $350,000 in grants will go towards improving food access in underserved communities in Central Virginia.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), in partnership with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, announced the recipients of 10 Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (VFAIF) grant awards.

In total, these grants amount to more than $1 million in investments in improving access to fresh food in underserved communities throughout the state.

"These VFAIF grant awards are an investment in our communities and serve as a tremendous step forward in addressing food insecurity in the Commonwealth," Youngkin said in a Tuesday press release. "In addition, we are supporting local agriculture and using the state’s largest private industry to create economic opportunities that strengthen our food infrastructure."

Half of the 10 recipients are located in Central Virginia. Specifically, just over $343,000 in VFAIF grant awards will fund the following Central Virginia projects:

• Wakefield Market, Sussex County
  • Award amount: $245,000
  • Intended use: "As the only locally owned grocery store in two counties, Wakefield Market is increasing its storage capacity with a new freezer, which will provide access to fresh local produce beyond the final harvest."
• Darnell's Garden Patch, Orange County
  • Award amount: $49,000
  • Intended use: "Darnell’s Garden Patch is purchasing a forklift to improve product handling and a new freezer to increase cold storage capacity for local meats. The family-owned business is also performing other critical infrastructure improvements."
• Esther Manor Farms, Hanover County
  • Award amount: $48,000
  • Intended use: "Esther Global Foundation, in partnership with Esther Manor Farm, will enhance its cold storage capacity to allow for year-round access to fresh vegetables."
• Black Swan Youth Venture Hub, Mecklenburg County
  • Award amount: $47,503
  • Intended use: "The Black Swan Youth Venture Hub will invest in infrastructure to host farmers market stalls where participants can sell their locally grown products. The hub will also provide youth with the hands-on experience of growing and selling food."
• Browntown Farms, Brunswick County
  • Award amount: $41,785
  • Intended use: "Browntown Farms will build upon a previously successful project by purchasing new retail coolers and incorporating new technology that will enhance efficiency."

Communities in Newport News, Norfolk, the Pamplin area of Lynchburg, Halifax County and Northampton County will also receive VFAIF funding.

“Using agriculture as a base to build strategic partnerships between state government, philanthropic entities, and private industry is an innovative technique to address food access concerns while enhancing local food systems,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr in the release. “Through these awards, we are fortifying the food supply infrastructure, improving access to nutritious, affordable foods and boosting economies in communities throughout the Commonwealth.”