In Northern Virginia, an estimated 27% of residents experience some level of food insecurity. Arcadia, a nonprofit center for sustainable food and agriculture in Alexandria, Va., is combating this while simultaneously working to build a healthier food system from the ground up (literally).
Located on the historic grounds of Woodlawn Estate, originally part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Arcadia grows its own sustainable produce and provides accessible pathways to healthier lifestyles.
“Food should nourish people and the planet,” said Pamela Hess, executive director. “Arcadia is working to make that a reality in every community.”
Why food access is about more than food
Food insecurity is a symptom of poverty, and conversely, food often follows money.
Large corporations often place fresh, healthy food where they expect a profit, often excluding low-income neighborhoods. The current food system produces vast quantities of cheap food that exacerbate public health and environment crises. The result? Families with the least resources face the greatest barriers to affordable, nutritious food.
Arcadia’s solution is to reshape the food system so healthy, local food becomes abundant and affordable for low-income communities.
Growing healthy habits early
Arcadia believes education is critical for inspiring long-term impact, especially for children. Through field trips and summer camps, Arcadia offers an immersive experience where children can see, touch and taste fresh produce right from its source. The program helps them develop genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for local, fresh foods.
This early exposure is intentional, because lasting behavior change around diet is shaped by what children encounter and enjoy when they’re young.
“If you grow up only eating processed food because that’s what’s affordable or available, or that’s what your parents have time to feed you, you never get to develop a taste for foods like beets and carrots,” Hess said.
After building expanded appetites and excitement, Arcadia connects families with affordable, local produce by meeting them where they are.
Bringing produce directly to people
Each week, Arcadia’s Mobile Market brings fresh, affordable produce directly into low-food access areas across the capital region. The market accepts and doubles the food assistance benefits and provides information about programs like SNAP/EBT, WIC, Senior FWNP and Produce Plus.
Arcadia’s Mobile Markets reduce transportation barriers by rotating through areas in need, setting up directly in neighborhoods and high-traffic spots like hospitals and community libraries.
“Our Mobile Market isn’t here to compete with farmers markets — it’s here to complement them,” Hess said. “We see ourselves as part of the same local food system, working together to get more healthy produce into more homes.”
Opening land to veterans and neighbors
Arcadia’s educational pursuits go beyond children; its Veteran Farmer Program uses the land to help military veterans transition into new careers in agriculture.
“We use this farm to train military veterans to become farmers,” Hess said. “We started about 10 years ago, and we now have 300 graduates and more than 100 farms across 23 states and five countries.”
By equipping veterans with the skills, land-based experience and support networks they need to succeed, Arcadia is steadily increasing the supply of sustainably grown, nutrient-dense food.
Situated next to Fort Belvoir, the farm offers plots to service members who have barriers to establishing gardens on base. Other plots are reserved for low-income neighbors living in apartments and trailer parks without outdoor space.
In total, Arcadia provides all the land and supplies for nearly 100 growers to source fresh, healthy food for their families and reconnect with the land, regardless of income or military status.
Carrying forward a tradition of change
The 126-acre Woodlawn Estate, once belonging to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, is no stranger to agriculture. Though, its rich history in farming is coupled with a legacy of purpose.
After Washington’s stepdaughter left the property in the 1840s, it was bought by a timber company from Philadelphia made up of Quaker abolitionists with one goal: they wanted a farm in the south where they could prove you didn’t need slave labor to succeed. They did just that.
“The Quakers were trying to use food and agriculture to bring equality, and we’re trying to bring equality to food and agriculture,” Hess said.
For more information and ways to get involved, visit the Arcadia website.
