About this Event
Farm to Pantry Fall 2026 Community Meeting
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Germanna Community College
V. Earl Dickinson Building (SP1), Room 212
We hope you'll join Virginia Community Food Connections (VCFC) for a morning of catching up, sharing ideas, and learning from one another! We're looking forward to bringing our Farm to Pantry partners together to talk about what's happening in our community, share some exciting updates, and celebrate the work we're all doing to connect our neighbors with fresh, local food.
Our Morning Together
10:00–10:15 AM | Big News!
We have something exciting to share and celebrate with our community partners!
10:15–10:35 AM | Farm to Pantry: What's New & What's Next
We'll share updates on new funding through the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program (VAFAP), plans for purchasing fresh produce through the remainder of 2026, and what we're looking forward to in 2027.
10:35–11:05 AM | Keeping Fresh Food Fresh
How long do different fruits and vegetables really last? What are the best ways to store them, especially when space and refrigeration are limited? We'll explore practical tips for keeping produce fresh, reducing waste, and helping our pantry partners make the most of the food they receive.
11:05–11:30 AM | Pantry Recipe Swap!
We know many of our pantry partners share recipes and cooking ideas to help the people they serve prepare and enjoy fresh produce. We'd love to bring some of those ideas together!
Please bring a favorite recipe you've shared with your pantry visitors, along with about 30 printed copies. You can also email your recipe to us ahead of time, and we'll print it for you.
After the gathering, we'll compile everyone's contributions into a digital recipe collection that our partners can use and share with their communities.
11:30–11:50 AM | Good Food, Good Stories
Some of the most meaningful parts of this work are the connections we make along the way. We'll hear from a few of our pantry partners about special moments, successes, and experiences that remind us why fresh food access matters.
11:50 AM onward | Bear Necessities Pantry Tour
We'll wrap up our morning with a guided tour of Germanna's Bear Necessities Pantry, led by Kevin Melnick and Lindsay Epperson. The tour may continue a little beyond noon.
Refreshments
We'll have fresh seasonal fruit, cheese and crackers, apple cider, and sparkling water to share while we enjoy time together.
Parking & Arrival
Parking is available in any campus parking lot or the parking garage.
The V. Earl Dickinson Building (SP1) is the first building as you come down the driveway. Enter through the main doors, turn right at the Welcome Kiosk, and Room 212 will be the first room on your left.
Doors open at 9:45 AM.
We can't wait to see everyone and spend the morning together!
Event venue & nearby stays
Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive,, Fredericksburg, United States
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