Candice Armstrong Announced as Next VCFC Executive Director
Candice Armstrong Announced as Next VCFC Executive Director
FREDERICKSBURG, VA (September 27, 2021) Virginia Community Food Connections (VCFC) announced today that Candice Armstrong has been appointed as the next Executive Director (ED) of VCFC. An experienced nonprofit leader, Armstrong succeeds Elizabeth Borst and assumed ED responsibilities in September. Borst will continue with VCFC focusing on strategic partnerships and healthy food distribution programs.
As a community social work practitioner for more than ten years, a devoted educator, and a faithful volunteer, Candice is deeply committed to issues related to poverty and hunger. From local grassroots organizing to federal social policy administration, Candice has worked extensively to understand and combat food insecurity on every level. She has been living and working in the Fredericksburg region for the past seven years, and most recently served as the Social Services Coordinator for The Salvation Army where she became familiar with the ever-increasing rate of food insecurity in our community. Through her new role as VCFC’s Executive Director, Candice looks forward to growing the impact of its powerful mission to create healthy, food-secure communities and strong, equitable regional food systems.
“Candice is passionate about ensuring that all members of our community have affordable access to sufficient and nutritious food. Her collegial style and practical approach to problem solving is the perfect fit for us,” said VCFC Board President Bill Brooks.
As the Social Services Coordinator for The Salvation Army, Candice made noteworthy and effective changes in the operations of The Salvation Army’s food assistance programs by increasing access to the weekly food pantry, expanding cold storage capacity and providing as much fresh produce as possible. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully secured the funding needed to expand The Salvation Army’s programs to meet the growing community need, including grants from the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
“Having the opportunity to work on the front lines of food insecurity in the Fredericksburg region has only fueled my passion and commitment to food justice – ensuring access to healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods,” said VCFC’s new Executive Director Candice Armstrong. “Most importantly, I understand and embrace the reality that one organization cannot solve the problem of food insecurity alone, building and nurturing community partnerships will always be the key to ending hunger.”
VCFC Board President Bill Brooks continued, “The board is excited to work with Candice as our next Executive Director and confident that VCFC will be well positioned under her leadership to continue to thrive and grow for years to come.”
About Virginia Community Food Connections
Virginia Community Food Connections (VCFC) is a regionally focused nonprofit whose mission is to create healthy, food-secure communities and strong, equitable regional food systems by ensuring fresh and local produce is accessible and affordable for all. VCFC operates the SNAP and Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) program at seven area farmers markets connecting low-income families with nutritious, locally grown produce, providing a critical link to food security for struggling community members. VCFC is proud to operate the #1 (Dale City), #2 (Spotsylvania), and #3 (Fredericksburg) SNAP and VFM programs at farmers markets in Virginia. VCFC also works with local food pantries through our Farm to Pantry program to source fresh produce for community distribution.