November Food Security News

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Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance

Due to the federal shutdown, November SNAP benefits will likely not be issued by the federal government. However, remaining SNAP benefits on EBT cards from previous months remain usable. DHS staff will still be processing applications, renewals, and approving eligible cases, but no benefits will be issued.

Virginia has issued a state of emergency allowing the use of state funds to issue Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) benefits to SNAP customers in November during the federal shutdown. Under VENA, 25% of a customer's monthly benefit will be issued on a weekly basis. Only Virginia residents enrolled in SNAP as of October 29, 2025 will receive VENA benefits. VENA benefits will continue until the government reopens. Benefits will be distributed according to the schedule below:

• Households who receive SNAP benefits on the 1st of the month will receive VENA benefits on Mondays. 
• Households who receive SNAP benefits on the 4th of the month will receive VENA benefits on Wednesdays.
• Households who receive SNAP benefits on the 7th of the month will receive VENA benefits on Fridays.

County Funding for AFAC

To help bridge the gap between pro-rated state-issued benefits and household needs, and in anticipation of potential continued disruptions, Arlington County has approved a one-time, emergency allocation of $350,000 to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). This emergency funding will allow AFAC to increase its capacity to serve additional SNAP-affected households in November and to boost AFAC’s overall capacity for the remainder of this fiscal year.

Virginia Fresh Match at Farmer's Markets

FRESHFARM and Virginia Fresh Match are expanding the program that doubles SNAP benefits at Farmer's Markets in November at the Ballston, Courthouse, and Rosslyn farmer's markets.    SNAP users can present their SNAP/EBT card at the FRESHFARM market information tent to receive $30 in FreshMatch coupons to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer's market. All SNAP recipients are eligible, even if they have no remaining funds on their card.   In addition, FRESHARM will also offer $30 in FreshMatch coupons to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables to all furloughed or unpaid federal workers. Federal employees can present their federal ID at the market information tent to receive this benefit.    At participating farmer's markets, customers can get 75% off of produce from November 19th-26th.    Customers can find a participating location and learn more about the special by visiting www.virginiafreshmatch.org/locate. Participating locations are marked on our map in orange.

APS Community Meals

APS will launch a temporary meal program to support students and families affected by the federal government shutdown.

• Starting Thursday, November 6, 2025, APS families are invited to enjoy a free hot meal together at either Yorktown, Washington-Liberty or Wakefield High Schools from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Meals will be served and enjoyed in each school cafeteria. We ask families to eat on site so we can serve as many households as possible.
• APS will serve 250 meals per day at each location on a first-come first-served basis. APS students and their families are welcome. We will not turn away families who need support.
• Please note, there will be no meal served on Veterans Day, Tue, Nov. 11.
• We ask that you complete this brief optional form. Your input will help us plan responsibly and meet the needs of our community. The form does not collect identifying information and is not required to attend.

We are grateful to our Food Services team, custodial staff, security teams, school-based and central office level staff and volunteers who are making this possible. Thank you for being part of our caring APS community.

Community Food Resources

Visit the Arlington County food assistance website for up-to-date information about resources in the community. The page includes the following resources:

• A flyer listing food assistance locations open to all, available in 13 languages.
• A brochure listing all food assistance programs in Arlington (includes some programs that didn't fit on the flyer). Available in English & Spanish
• A comprehensive food resources guideproviding information about programs, eligibility, and how to enroll.
• A map showing food assistance locations around the county.

Holiday Food Supports

Many local food pantries and meal programs offer special programming or distributions ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This flyer lists special events and also any closures around the holidays. View the flyer here.

New SNAP Requirements

Even with the government shutdown and SNAP benefits not being issued in November, new SNAP participation requirements are still going into effect as of November 1. Here is a snapshot of what's new.

• Work Requirements - SNAP recipients must work 20 hours per week (or 80 hours per month), volunteer, or participate in job training unless they meet one of these exemptions:

  • Are unable to work because of a physical or mental limitation,
  • Are over 65 years old,
  • Have a dependent child under age 14 or are pregnant.
    
• Document verification - Applicants need to provide documentation to verify all expenses including rent, utilities, and child care expenses.

How You Can Help

Additional Information

Visit the Arlington County food assistance website for up-to-date information about resources in the community.

If you have questions about food security in Arlington or have information to share, please contact Stephanie Hopkins, Food Security Coordinator at shopkins@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-1065.