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About
Fair access to fresh food
Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is a network of farmers markets, mobile markets, and community food stores that double the value of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, also known as EBT or food stamps, spent on fruits and vegetables.
Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP) is our fiscal sponsor.
Make fruits and vegetables affordable
for SNAP/EBT customers
Connect local farmers with more sales
Keep food dollars in the local economy
Our Mission
Virginia Fresh Match is committed to centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our work.
Everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy food, regardless of identity or economic status.
Nearly 10% of all Virginians rely on SNAP/EBT benefits to put food on the table.
Affordability is a major barrier to accessing healthy foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often unaffordable for low income families.
Virginia farmers face increasing challenges.
Virginia has seen a 9.8% decrease in the number of farms since 2017, along with a 6.3% decline in agricultural acres.
Economic and environmental pressures impact farmers' ability run successful, sustainable businesses.
Virginia Fresh Match is making a difference.
Despite Virginians spending over a billion dollars in SNAP each year, less than one percent of that is spent on local food. With VFM’s nutrition incentives, we’re changing that.
Since 2009, outlets across Virginia have been testing nutrition incentives, thanks to support from national partners like Wholesome Wave. Fast forward to 2015, and VFM became a statewide network, uniting outlets and multiplying the impact of every SNAP dollar spent.
In 2018, the Local Environmental Agriculture Project and Virginia Community Food Connections teamed up on behalf of the VFM network and scored a USDA grant to supercharge our efforts. In 2021, state funding provided a whopping $2M to further fuel our mission. By September 2023, we celebrated yet another milestone with a $1.2M GusNIP grant, ensuring even more Virginians can access fresh, local produce.