The Fresh Food Access by Census Tract layer was created for the Strategic Plan Housing and Neighborhood Livability Dashboard to estimate access to businesses that sell fresh foods throughout the county. Visit the Strategic Plan Dashboards webpage to view the published metrics.

Population data is based on the most recent U.S. Census’ 5-Year American Community Survey (ACS).

Fresh food locations were captured through an online search and Data Axle’s database via ESRI’s Business Analyst. Locations were removed if the business was closed. Locations are limited to establishments within a half-mile radius of the Fairfax County’s border.

The term "fresh food location" is defined as businesses that are open year-round and sell unprocessed or raw fruit, vegetables and meat.

Businesses are periodically checked to confirm that they are still open and meet the criteria for selling fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. Excluded business include convenience stores that offer more or only processed and pre-packaged items. Farmers markets are also excluded as they are not open year-round but are noted as being an excellent community.

The distance of a half mile is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Research Atlas, which defines low food access if household lives further than 0.5 miles from the nearest grocery store.

For more information, please contact the Department of Management and Budget’s Countywide Data Analytics team.

Contact: Department of Management and Budget

Email: DMB-DataAnalytics@fairfaxcounty.gov

Data Accessibility: Publicly Available

Update Frequency: As Needed

Last Revision Date: 3/26/2026

Creation Date: 9/25/2025

Layer Name: DMBMGR.FRESH_FOOD_ACCESS