VERONA, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is highlighting findings from the 2026 Virginia Hunger Study, released today, which reportedly gives the organization a deeper understanding of how hunger affects families across the Blue Ridge region.

According to the study, 1 in 3 (37%) households in the Blue Ridge region were food insecure between May 2025 and May 2026, and 1 in 3 (35%) children in the region experienced food insecurity during the same period.

Across the state of Virginia, the study found that 4 in 10 households (42%) were food insecure – defined as all members of a household lacking consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. For families with children, half (51%) reported they didn’t have enough food.

“The findings are striking, but not surprising,” said Kari Diener, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “This data confirms what we and our network of partners see every day as we serve record numbers of neighbors. Families across our region are working hard, but wages aren’t keeping up with rising costs. Parents are skipping meals, older adults are choosing between groceries and medicine, and too many children are going without balanced meals.”

As the statewide report notes, “Inflation has had a severe impact on food-insecure households’ budgets.”

In the Blue Ridge, 8 in 10 families who are food-insecure say higher grocery prices (81%), as well as gasoline and utility costs (79%), have made their finances even worse.

The statewide report found that “Three out of four food-insecure adults (76%) have been diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions.”

In the Blue Ridge area, families report skipping medical care, buying less healthy food, and draining savings to get by.

“Charitable food alone cannot close this gap,” said Diener. “We need strong partnerships, smart policy, and community support to ensure every family in the Blue Ridge can count on consistent access to nutritious food.”