Measuring Regional Food Insecurity and the Role of a Loudon County Food Hub

Overview:

Although Loudoun County has the highest average income in the United States, they have a significant population that is food insecure. Loudoun is largely rural, with the majority of its 425,000 residents concentrated in the eastern part of the county. Health Services Strategic Plan Advisory Committee wants to assess the feasibility of creating a food hub that connects schools, restaurants and the community to increase the availability and quality of food to their those that cannot afford or have access to healthy food. The Advisory Committee, composed of representatives from several social service agencies, and community organizations, believes the food hub will improve community engagement, social cohesion, civic participation, and cultural awareness. Loudoun County’s Cooperative Extension Agent and Virginia Tech researchers are examining food hubs in the Charlottesville and other areas as well as creating data-driven profiles of Loudoun County’s low-income populations to inform the feasibility of creating a food hub.