"Food insecurity describes a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is one way we can measure and assess the risk of hunger. In the United States currently, 1 in 9 people struggle with hunger." (Source: Feeding America)

"It’s a simple fact: A child’s chance for a bright tomorrow starts with getting enough food to eat today. But this year, due in part to the coronavirus pandemic, 13 million children - 1 in every 6 kids - may not know where they will get their next meal." (Source: Feeding America)

In Virginia, 799,620 people are facing hunger - and of them 214,270 are children.  That's 1 in 9 children. 

Prior to the pandemic, Fairfax County (ranked 2nd nationally for highest median household income) had the highest number of food insecure in Virginia. The Capital Area Food Bank estimates that there are 74,000 food insecure Fairfax County residents . 

In Fairfax County, 12% of children under 18 suffer from food insecurity. 

In the 2019-20 school year, Free & Reduced Lunch participation increased.

• In Fairfax County, Herndon Middle School had 54% of their students on Free & Reduced Lunch, and Herndon High School had over 48% of their students on Free & Reduced Lunch, both up 6% from two years prior.
• In Loudoun County, Park View High School had 66% of their students on Free & Reduced Lunch, also up 6% from the two years prior.

In the 2019-20 school year, Free & Reduced Lunch participation increased:

• In Fairfax County, Herndon Middle School had 54% of their students on Free & Reduced Lunch, up 6% from two years prior and Herndon High School had over 48% of their students on Free & Reduced Lunch, both up 6% from two years prior.
• In Loudoun County, Park View High School had 66% of their students on Free & Reduced Lunch, also up 6% from the two years prior.

For more information: 

2022 Hunger Report from Capital Area Food Bank 

2021 Hunger Report from Capital Area Food Bank 

Hunger Eats at Student Productivity—And Our Future Workforce

Map of Fairfax County, Virginia High School Free and Reduced Lunch Program Participation

Map of Fairfax County, Virginia Middle School Free and Reduced Lunch Program Participation

Resources:

Feeding America

FCPS School Profiles

Fairfax County Poverty Demographics

Virginia Department of Education Statistics

Capital Area Food Bank