This report details the activities and accomplishments of the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (Fund) and Virginia Food Access Investment Program (Program) covering the period from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022, as required by Chapters 956 and 957 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. Chapters 956 and 957 established the Fund and the Program to combat food insecurity through a grant program aimed at encouraging grocery stores and other food retailers to address food deserts. Chapters 956 and 957 also required the establishment of an Equitable Food Oriented Development (EFOD) stakeholder work group to develop recommendations for design elements for the Program. A total of $1.25 million from the general fund was allocated to VDACS in the 2020 biennial budget to operate the Program consistent with the provisions of Chapters 956 and 957, and an additional $2 million was allocated for fiscal year (FY) 2021.

Fiscal Year FY 2020
Budget Allocation: $1,125,000

Fiscal Year FY 2021
Budget Allocation: $2,000,000

Significant activities for the Fund and Program during this reporting period include the following:

• Administered the FY 2022 grant round, conducting extensive outreach and reviewing 37 pre-proposals and 26 completed applications;

• Announced grant awards totaling $420,000 in funding to 10 grant awardees and provided onboarding support and guidance;

• Provided ongoing technical assistance to both existing and potential grant recipients on project development and implementation;

• Created and refined systems for current grantees around reimbursement requests and reporting guidelines; and

• Opened the FY 2023 grant round and conducted pre-proposal webinars.