Why We Exist?
Pagano Nourishment Project exists because consistent access to nutritious food is foundational to a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive, yet too many children in America and right here in our own communities still lack that access.
Across the United States, tens of millions of people face challenges putting food on the table (USDA ERS, 2023). National food security tracking has been a key tool for understanding this issue for decades, but in September 2025 the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will discontinue its longstanding annual Household Food Security Reports, a data source that helped policymakers and nonprofits measure hunger and food access trends nationwide (USDA FNS, 2025). USDA characterized the report as politicized and costly, though experts have criticized the decision, noting that it removes a critical tool for understanding hunger and evaluating the impact of federal nutrition assistance programs (USDA FNS, 2025).
Despite this change in measurement, the need remains very real:
In Virginia overall, about 12.1% of people experienced food insecurity in 2023, meaning limited or uncertain access to adequate food at some point during the year (Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap, 2023).
In Virginia Beach alone, about 11.1% of residents experienced food insecurity in 2023 (Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap, 2023).
Some nearby cities in Hampton Roads face even higher rates. For example, Norfolk had a food insecurity rate of about 15.4%, significantly above the state average (Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap, 2023; ODU Social Research Center, 2023).
These numbers reflect real families, neighbors, and children who may not know where their next meal will come from, even if federal reporting has shifted. Locally, food assistance providers have reported that demand for food aid is significantly higher now than during the height of the pandemic, driven by housing costs, inflation, and tighter eligibility for nutrition programs (ODU Social Research Center, 2023; Feeding America, 2024).
At PNP, we meet children where they already are. In school. We believe that kids deserve not just enough food, but nutritious food they can count on. By focusing on consistent support through school partnerships, we aim to strengthen learning, health, and opportunity for children in Virginia Beach and throughout Hampton Roads.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service (USDA ERS). Household Food Security in the United States. 2023.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS). Agency Communications on Discontinuation of Annual Household Food Security Reporting. September 2025.
Feeding America. Map the Meal Gap: Food Insecurity Estimates at the Local Level. 2023–2024.