For many Virginia families, the weekly grocery trip has become a source of stress, sacrifice, and even debt. A new statewide poll from Change Research, commissioned by No Kid Hungry Virginia, finds that parents across the commonwealth are making heartbreaking sacrifices just to keep their children fed. 

A mom from Halifax County put it plainly: “We now buy what I call filler foods instead of eating wholesome, well-rounded, and healthy meals. When I cook for my family of five, it is too expensive to try to give everyone the portions they should have.” 

Her story reflects the reality of too many Virginia families. Rapidly rising food prices continue to outpace wages, pushing families into debt and forcing impossible choices between food, health, and stability. 

Families are Going into Debt to Afford Food

No parent should have to go into debt to afford to feed their families. Yet, families report that they are doing just that. The numbers are staggering: 

• 84% of Virginians say food costs are rising faster than their incomes. 
• Nearly half (45%) have gone into debt in the past year because of the price of groceries. 
• Families with children in Virginia’s public schools are hit the hardest—52% report they’ve had to take on debt just to afford food. 
• Middle-income families are struggling, with 51% of households earning $47,000–$97,000 saying food costs pushed them into debt. 

Rising Costs Are Forcing Families to Make Difficult
Trade-Offs

Every week, parents are forced to make choices that no family should have to make: Do I buy groceries or pay the light bill? Do I skip a meal to ensure my children have enough to eat? 

• 65% of families with children report having to choose between buying enough nutritious food and affording other essentials. 
• These trade-offs are becoming more common, rising sharply from last year when 46% of Virginians reported making similar sacrifices. 

As one Henrico County parent shared: “I usually don’t eat much of anything. That in itself is mentally draining. Choosing to spend money to feed my kids instead of paying certain bills is stressful.” 

The Hidden Cost: Health and Well-Being

This isn’t just impacting families’ finances but also hurting families’ health. 

• 61% of families with children say their mental health has suffered because of food costs. 
• 48% of Virginians say their physical health has declined. 
• Nearly half of families report skipping meals or eating less to make ends meet. 

And for families with low incomes, cost is the main barrier to nutrition: 94% say they would buy more nutritious groceries if they could afford it. 

Virginians Agree: Child Hunger is a Policy Choice

Parents know the needs of their families best, and their message to lawmakers is loud and clear: ending child hunger must be a shared priority. 

• 97% of respondents agree that child hunger should not exist in Virginia. 
• 94% of respondents believe ending childhood hunger should be a bipartisan goal. 
• 88% of respondents want the next governor to make this a priority, and more than half (53%) say it should be at the very top of the agenda. 

The needs of Virginia’s children should transcend politics. And Virginians across the political spectrum agree that no child should go without the food they need to grow and thrive. This is why Virginia lawmakers must commit to investing in bold policy solutions to ensure that no child goes hungry and Virginia families can afford basic needs like affordable, healthy foods.   

With food prices stretching family budgets tighter than ever, Virginia lawmakers must commit to protecting and strengthening SNAP benefits, investing in Virginia Fresh Match, and guaranteeing free school breakfast and lunch to all students by passing Healthy School Meals for All. We know the importance of these programs, and families report firsthand that these programs strengthen their household budgets, with almost half (49%) of families reporting that they utilize a food program such as a food bank, free school meals, SNAP, or SUN Bucks throughout the year. 

Lawmakers have the power—and the mandate—to end child hunger. Virginia families are clear that food costs are crushing their budgets, health, and peace of mind. We know that there are practical, proven ways to uplift children, support families, and strengthen communities through family-focused policy. There’s no more time to debate if we should feed children. Hunger can’t wait, and neither should the solutions. 

Ready to Take Action?

Complete our latest Action Alert to let your representatives know that we see the hidden danger in cuts to essential services like Medicaid and SNAP, and families are depending on their support of Virginia’s young people and their families. Take action here.

---