Emergency Food Network

04/13/2026

Eggs are one of the most affordable complete proteins, packed with vitamins and minerals. Plus, they're incredibly versatile! Whether you're making breakfast, lunch, or dinner, eggs can anchor a nutritious meal in minutes.

Try this recipe from our nutritionist, Rita: Fried Rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1 cup cooked ground beef or diced chicken, flaked canned chicken or swap in a can of drained beans
- 1-2 cups vegetables (any combo: canned corn, peas, green beans - drained; fresh diced onions, peppers; frozen mixed veggies, chopped spinach)
- 3 cups cooked rice
- salt and pepper to taste
- soy sauce if you have it (optional)

How to make it:
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Scramble the eggs in the pan, then remove and set aside.
3. Add meat (or beans) and vegetables. Cook 3-4 minutes until heated through.
4. Add rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir-fry 3-5 minutes until heated and slightly crispy.
5. Return eggs to pan. Season with salt, pepper, and soy sauce if available.

Rita's tip: This recipe is YOUR canvas! No rice? Use cubed bread toasted in the pan or cooked orzo or barley. No meat? Double up on beans or eggs. Have leftover vegetables from earlier in the week? Toss them in! The best fried rice uses what you have on hand.

04/03/2026

Eggs are one of the most affordable complete proteins, packed with vitamins and minerals. Plus, they're incredibly versatile! Whether you're making breakfast, lunch, or dinner, eggs can anchor a nutritious meal in minutes.

Try this recipe from our nutritionist, Rita: Veggie Omelet for One
- 2 eggs
- splash of milk
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ cup filling: diced canned, frozen or fresh vegetables (spinach, squash, broccoli, bell peppers, onions) or rinsed canned beans
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheese if available

How to make it:
1. Whisk eggs with milk, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Pour in eggs. As edges set, gently push them toward center, tilting pan to let uncooked egg flow to edges.
4. When mostly set, add fillings to one half. Top vegetables with cheese. Fold omelet over and slide onto plate.

Watch this space for more economical, nutritious recipes from Rita.

03/30/2026

Many everyday foods, especially canned and shelf-stable items, contain sodium. And that’s okay. But small adjustments can help reduce sodium for healthy blood pressure and improved heart health:

Try this:
- Rinse canned vegetables or beans to reduce sodium
- Combine with other ingredients (like pasta or dairy) to balance flavors
- Taste before adding extra salt
- Season with salt-free herbs and seasonings such as onion or garlic powder, black pepper or dried basil.

Nutrition doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Small, realistic changes, done consistently, can make a meaningful healthy difference over time.

03/28/2026

There’s a common misconception that “healthy” food always means fresh, perishable, and expensive. But here’s the reality. Shelf-stable foods can be incredibly nutritious.

Canned vegetables, legumes and fruits, pasta, rice, and canned tuna provide:

- Essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- Protein and energy
- Long-lasting, reliable nutrition

They’re also practical to keep on hand and turn into a meal when you need it.

Try this: Creamy Veggie Pasta
A simple, nourishing meal made from everyday ingredients:
1 box pasta
1 can vegetables (drained)
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheese
Optional: garlic powder, salt, pepper

Instructions:
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Drain vegetables and add to pasta during the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain and return to saucepan.
Add milk and cheese, stirring to combine with pasta and vegetables. Gently heat to melt cheese.
Season to taste.

Meals like this combine carbohydrates, protein, and calcium which are key components of a balanced diet.

It’s quick. It’s cost-effective. And it’s balanced.

03/26/2026

When we think about nutrition and heart health, we often focus on nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and calories.

But there’s another piece of the puzzle: Stress.

Not knowing where your next meal will come from creates real, physical stress on the body.

Over time, that stress can:
- Raise blood pressure
- Increase inflammation
- Affect heart health

At EFN, our goal is to provide reliable access to food to reduce that daily uncertainty, ensuring fewer skipped meals and less strain on the body.

03/22/2026

We often think of heart health as a matter of diet and exercise.

But there’s another factor that doesn’t get talked about enough - access to food.

Recent research reported by HealthDay found that financial stress, including food insecurity, is associated with accelerated heart aging and increased risk of death. It’s a reminder that health is shaped not just by individual choices, but by the conditions people are living in:

Skipping meals
Relying on whatever is available
Living with ongoing financial and emotional stress

All of these place added strain on the body over time.

That’s why our work at EFN is to ensure consistent access to food so people can:

Eat regularly
Make balanced choices
Reduce stress on their bodies

We’ll be sharing more practical nutrition insights throughout National Nutrition Month.

For more on food security and heart health, visit https://www.healthday.com/health-news/cardiovascular-diseases/money-worries-speed-up-heart-aging-increase-risk-of-death?utm_source=chatgpt.com

03/21/2026

Last weekend, the held their Spring concert and we were honored to be named their community partner. Partial proceeds and on-site donations support EFN.

We were also given a few minutes to speak directly to the audience about food insecurity in our community. In case you missed it, here's what we shared.

Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and listened.

03/15/2026

Saturday's "Together in Song" concert was a powerful celebration of patriotism and community. We're still humming "America the Beautiful."

As the chosen community partner for this concert, we were truly moved by the generosity of attendees. The opportunity to address such an engaged audience about food insecurity in Charlottesville and Albemarle was invaluable. The response shows our community truly understands we're all stronger when we lift each other up.

The Oratorio Society's next performance . Mendelssohn's Elijah on May 10 at 3:30 pm, is sure to be equally inspiring.

To the Oratorio Society: thank you for orchestrating not just this magnificent concert, but the powerful demonstration of community engagement. Special thanks to Music Director, Michael Slon, Executive Director, Christine Fairfield, and the entire board for an event where artistry and compassion were in perfect unity.

03/14/2026

Attending today's "Together in Song" concert?

The Emergency Food Network will be in the lobby accepting food and monetary donations to help fight hunger in our community. Your generosity makes a real difference!

Concert starts at 4 PM at First Presbyterian Church.

03/13/2026

We're thrilled to celebrate the new home of Twice Is Nice Upscale Resale Boutique -now located at 600 Preston Ave!

TIN and its incredible volunteers are making a real difference in Charlottesville, supporting 31 non-profits in 2025 alone — including EFN! — with over $300K in donations. To date, they've contributed nearly $1M to our community. That's extraordinary.

You can be part of that impact: shop, donate, or volunteer with Twice Is Nice. Every visit helps reduce, reuse, and recycle while extending vital support to seniors in need.

03/03/2026

We’re honored to be the beneficiary of the Oratorio Society of Virginia’s upcoming concert, Songs of Democracy.

Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music, with proceeds supporting food security in our community. Tickets are available now — we hope to see you there!

🎶 Together in Song: Songs of Democracy

Join The Oratorio Society of Virginia and Music Director Michael Slon for a powerful afternoon of American music celebrating our shared history, ideals, and voices.

Featuring iconic works by Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and Howard Hanson, this special concert honors America’s 250th anniversary in proud partnership with America250 and VA250. ✨ This concert is also a benefit for the .cville, which needs our community’s support more than ever. Donations will be collected at the door, and a portion of ticket sales will be donated by The Oratorio Society.

📅 March 14, 2026 | 4:00 p.m.
📍 Charlottesville
🎟️ $20 Adult | $10 Student
👉 Tickets: oratoriosociety.org