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https://www.realfoodforkids.org/

(202) 258-3297

6166 Hardy Drive McLean, Virginia, 22101

CEO/Executive Director: Bonnie Moore

Organization Information

Real Food for Kids

EIN: 46-3514249

Mission Statement

Real Food for Kids (RFFK) dismantles barriers to nutrition equity through programs that increase access to real, whole foods, build and support healthy choices through nutrition education, and advance policy change to sustain a population of healthy eaters. Our work inside and outside school walls addresses the systemic challenges to nutrition equity that disproportionately impact low-income, multi-ethnic communities. Our successes have resulted from collaborative community engagement, mission-aligned partners, and positive advocacy with a diverse range of stakeholders. 

Program Summary

Real Food for Kids addresses nutrition insecurity by connecting children and families in Arlington with fresh whole foods and building their capacity to make healthy food choices.

  • 🥦Fresh Food Explorers is a nutrition education program delivered in preschool classrooms that cultivates food literacy and a love of vegetables in early learners.
  • 🥦SNAP Ambassadors strengthens understanding of and access to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program among eligible families. We engage in direct community outreach in Arlington, train social services professionals in SNAP application assistance, and provide free SNAP educational resources for all community members.
  • 🥦Chefs Feeding Families distributes free, fresh produce bags to low-income families across the DMV including 8 sites in Arlington to increase accessibility to local, fresh produce.
  • 🥦The annual Culinary Challenge encourages student voice in school meal offerings. Middle and High school family and consumer sciences students’ submissions are evaluated by a judging panel and presented to community attendees. 

    Impact Statement

    In our FY26…

    • 🍊The Chefs Feeding Families program provided over 90,000 pounds of produce to 5,000 families across 15 sites. 45% of the produce was distributed in Arlington.  
    • 🍊As the only Virginia SNAP outreach partner in Arlington County, we trained 100 school and affiliate staff as SNAP Ambassadors and directly provided SNAP information to more than 8,000 community members. We also published a SNAP support website available in English and Spanish to answer common questions about the program and highlight discount programs available to low-income residents. 
    • 🍊At the 14th annual Culinary Challenge this past February, 15 teams competed representing 10 schools and 5 school districts. The winning dish was Potomac Middle School’s (PWCS) BBQ Tofu Sliders with Strawberry Salad.   
    • 🍊Our Fresh Food Explorers program was delivered in 12 classrooms across 5 schools over 3 school districts. In June, 240 students graduated as Veggie Superheroes! 80 families in our Fairfax classrooms also received 80 lbs. of produce each over the program’s duration. 

    What ways can the public get involved?

    1. Donate / Collect Donations for Chefs Feeding Families fresh produce distribution to Arlington children and families. 
    2. Train as a SNAP Ambassador and volunteer at our community events. 
    3. Organize a SNAP outreach event at your school/library/community center with us. 
    4. Middle and High School Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) students can compete in the Culinary Challenge (with a teacher sponsor). 
    5. Attend the Annual Culinary Challenge.  
    6. Volunteer at the Annual Culinary Challenge. 
    7. Advocate for healthy school meals and increased healthy food access in Arlington. 
    8. Sign up for our newsletter. 
    9. Follow our social media pages @realfoodforkids. 

    How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

    Donations will directly support our Chefs Feeding Families produce distribution. This program ensures low-income children and families have reliable access to locally grown, fresh produce to support their nutrition security. 

    • A $10 donation provides a child with four days of fresh produce. 
    • A $50 donation provides a child two weeks of fresh produce. 
    • A $100 donation provides a child four weeks of fresh produce. 
    • A $250 donation provides a family of 4 three weeks of fresh produce. 
    • A $500 donation provides a family of 4 six weeks of fresh produce. 

    Information Provided June 2026