ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Virginia Farm Bureau) — Complex logistical challenges must be navigated to get perishable items from orchards and regional dairy processors to neighbors in need. But for our hungry neighbors, the juice is worth the squeeze.

The Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program provides grants to charitable food assistance organizations to purchase Virginia Grown agricultural products, distributed to food-insecure Virginia residents statewide. VAFAP provides more than $1 million in grant funds annually to pay for the harvesting, packaging, processing and freight costs of Virginia-grown products for the food bank network.

This year, the VAFAP program has supported a Farm to Food Banks partnership with Shenandoah Valley Orchards in Rockingham County, formerly Turkey Knob Growers, to purchase apples going to food banks around the state. VAFAP also will purchase applesauce from White House Foods and milk from Maola Local Dairies.

“The success of our statewide Farms to Food Banks program is rooted in partnerships just like this one,” said Eddie Oliver, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. “By working directly with local growers like Shenandoah Valley Orchards, we’re able to bring fresh, nutritious apples to families who might otherwise go without. VAFAP plays a vital role in making this possible, ensuring that local farmers and growers are fairly supported while strengthening our regional economies. We’re grateful for partners who share our commitment to nourishing communities and sustaining Virginia agriculture.”

The Shenandoah Valley Orchards team values the chance to strengthen their partnership with the regional food banks program, said Melissa Andrews, orchard sales executive.

“We believe it is important to provide fresh, locally grown fruit to families in our community who might otherwise lack access,” she continued. “We recognize the responsibility that comes with supplying this vital food source, and it motivates us to deliver high-quality apples from our orchards to our neighbors’ tables.”

Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 and administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, VAFAP compensates farmers for food products that are donated or sold to charitable food assistance organizations.

“The Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program helps address food insecurity and support local agriculture, by providing funding to charitable food assistance organizations to aid in their purchase of Virginia Grown agricultural products,” said VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. “Producers are compensated for their harvest cost, nutritious food is not wasted, and additional food resources are available to food banks throughout the commonwealth.”

The application period for the 2026 VAFAP grant is scheduled for early 2026. Visit virginia.gov/food-food-distribution.shtml for updates.

Oliver also noted that VAFAP can work in tandem with the state’s food crop donation tax credit, offering farmers 50% farm market value on wholesome foods donated to food banks. Donors may claim up to $10,000 per year in tax credits.