Food Security Coalition

Arlington’s Food Security Coalition oversees the implementation of the Food Security Strategic Plan that was developed in 2022 and serves as a meeting point to coordinate, collaborate and share information about food security activities occurring in the county. It is a continuation of the work the Food Security Task Force did in 2021-22, including pursuing the mission and vision that the Task Force developed:

• Vision: A community where all have enough healthy food to feed themselves and their families.
• Mission: To create an interconnected food security system in Arlington that works together to meet its residents’ need to feed themselves and their families, healthy and culturally appropriate food, in an affordable and dignified manner.

Rationale

The work of improving food security in Arlington did not end with the publication of the food security strategic plan. On the contrary, the work will continue as the plan is implemented and additional work is identified for the future. To ensure that implementation of the plan is successful, a system is needed to provide action, accountability, and oversight. A food security coalition will provide an opportunity for food assistance providers, social service non-profits, government agencies related to food security, and interested community members to fulfill the goals of this and future plans. It will also facilitate organizations to share information and collaborate with other organizations. 

Structure

• Coalition Meetings: The full coalition will meet to work towards implementation of the Food Security Strategic Plan. These meetings may be in the form of workgroup breakout sessions, or full coalition meetings. The coalition will meet at least twice per quarter.

  Workgroups: Three workgroups will drive progress on specific areas of the Food Security strategic plan. Each group will be led by two co-chairs. The three workgroups are:

  • Food Access
  • Outreach
  • Systemic Change

  Peer Roundtables: Peer roundtables provide an opportunity for those working in a similar field of food security to discuss challenges and successes, share policy and procedure changes, problem solve collectively, and engage in training opportunities. Each peer roundtable will meet at least once per year. The peer roundtables are:

  • Charitable Food Providers
  • DHS Food Security Programs
  • APS Food Security Efforts

Together we can work to improve food security for all Arlington residents. All are welcome to join. 

• Registration form
• All meetings will be on the 4^th Mondays of the month at 2 p.m. on Zoom
• Complete the registration form to receive the meeting link

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Food Security Coalition Focus Group Feedback

Download the Food Security Coalition Focus Group Feedback(PPTX, 987KB) slide deck to learn more about the objectives, results, and feedback from the December 2024 focus groups.

FY 2024 Food Security Mini-Grant Impact Report

The grant program provided funding to 10 organizations who served 7,115 households. The report(PDF, 3MB) shows which aspects of the strategic plan the organizations addressed and where their work was done. In addition, there are project details, photos, and quotes describing the work of each grantee.

(PDF, 3MB)

Cultural Holidays Calendar (2024)

Download and view the 2024 Cultural Holidays Calendar(PDF, 724KB) as reference for the cultural holidays observed around Arlington and the types of meals eaten during each holiday. Food and meal providers can use this calendar to see when demand for certain food items may arise.

(PDF, 724KB)

2024 Food Security Coalition Annual Report

In the fall of 2022, Arlington County released its first food security strategic plan. The plan takes a wide-angle view at food security and includes strategies that are designed to improve access to food for low-income residents, identifies opportunities for capacity building for organizations providing food assistance, and address coordination and communication. This report offers an update on progress made in 2024.(PDF, 8MB)

(PDF, 8MB)

Past Annual Reports
(PDF, 8MB)

Food Security Strategic Plan

Food Security Coalition Meeting Materials

All Coalition meeting materials are saved in the Coalition Google Drive folder.