Why Food & Nutrition Access Matters
Food insecurity impacts all of Fairfax County, but it is especially severe in our southern region, where families experience greater disparity of income, education, and housing stability. Here, the Food Security Index in this area is 50.2 — more than five times the county average.
And hunger’s impact is far-reaching. It affects focus, energy, health, and hope. Parents skip meals so their children can eat. Students struggle with learning. By providing consistent access to healthy food, we help reverse these disparities and ensure that families can focus on growth instead of just survival.
How United Community Helps
United Community ensures every neighbor can access healthy, culturally familiar food. Our approach to food security goes beyond distribution — it’s about connection, dignity, and community.
- Nutritious, culturally familiar food: Fresh produce, proteins, and pantry staples that meet real family needs.
- Dignified access: Client-choice settings that empower neighbors to select their own food with comfort and respect.
- Multiple access points: A central pantry, mobile/homebound support, and community-school distribution make it easier to reach help.
- Wraparound services: Every visit opens the door to additional resources such as job training, housing support, childcare, and language learning.
Zip Codes Served
- 22303
- 22306
- 22307
- 22308
- 22309
- 22310
Where You Can Find Food Assistance
Cynthia Hull Food Pantry
Located at our Fordson Road site, the Cynthia Hull Food Pantry serves hundreds of Alexandria residents each week with nutritious groceries and a welcoming experience.
Families can choose from fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy, and culturally familiar pantry staples — all supported by caring volunteers and staff.
Hours of Operation:
- Monday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 12: 00 pm
Community Mobile Markets
To reach even more families, we bring food directly into neighborhoods through our Community Mobile Markets.
In partnership with Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), these mobile markets deliver healthy groceries and fresh produce to families in a convenient, familiar setting.
These markets create not only nourishment but connection, fostering a stronger sense of community around shared support.
Current Market Sites
Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
- 4015 Fielding St., Alexandria, VA 22309
- 571.255.8958
- First Monday of each month, from 4-5pm
Walt Whitman Middle School
- 2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306
- 703.660.2464
- First Wednesday each month, from 3-4pm
Our Mobile Markets also provide emergency “pop-up” food distributions during times of crisis, helping neighbors recover from local or national emergencies with immediate, reliable food access.
New to Community?
Begin the Registration Process to Access Services
* Not Required for USDA food assistance through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
How You Can Help
Every bag packed, every meal shared, and every donation made helps strengthen families right here in Fairfax County.
You can make a difference by:
- Donating funds to keep shelves stocked with fresh, healthy food year-round
- Volunteering your time to sort, distribute, or deliver groceries
- Hosting a food drive or becoming a corporate sponsor
New to United Community?
We’ll guide you through a simple intake process and get you connected.
FAQs
Food & Nutrition
Neighbors experiencing food insecurity who live in our service ZIP codes (22306, 22307, 22308, 22309, and east of Telegraph: 22303, 22310).
Fresh produce, eggs, dairy when available, meats, and shelf-stable staples—including culturally familiar items like rice, beans, lentils, Maseca, oils, and spices.
For the pantry, we collect basic information to confirm service area and understand household size. Some USDA programs (like TEFAP) may not require registration. If you have questions, our team will help.
Yes. We offer warm referrals to case management, ESL, employment supports, housing assistance, childcare resources, and more.
Communities with limited access to fresh, affordable food experience higher rates of illness, unemployment, and instability. Access to healthy food and appropriate nutrition helps counteract systemic barriers and create spaces for long-term transformation.
Southern Fairfax County faces some of the highest poverty and food insecurity rates in the region. In this area, the diabetes rate is 60% higher than the county average, obesity is 41% higher, and life expectancy is eight years lower. Limited access to affordable, nutritious food contributes to these disparities, making our programs an essential lifeline for families.
We focus our services where the need is greatest—bringing healthy, culturally familiar food directly to neighborhoods across southern Fairfax County. Through our Food Programs we ensure families living in the county’s most diverse and underserved communities have consistent access to the nutrition needed for stability and improved health.
Looking for Support or Hoping to Make a Difference?
Support healthy families and build stronger communities.
Access to healthy food lays the groundwork for stability and opportunity. Together, we can ensure no family in Fairfax County is left behind.
