Record Diesel Prices Strain Chesterfield County Food Bank

TL;DR: Record diesel prices in Virginia are forcing Chesterfield County's food bank to redirect funds from food purchases to fuel costs, threatening the organization's ability to serve growing client demand.

The story

Diesel fuel prices in Virginia hit a record $5.96 per gallon in mid-September 2026, a 68 percent increase from the previous year. For the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center, which operates four refrigerated trucks running seven days a week across the county and surrounding areas, the surge in fuel costs is straining an already tight operational budget.

The food bank's refrigerated fleet requires refueling every couple of days, and the organization also operates a cold storage trailer that runs continuously. These diesel-dependent operations are now consuming far more resources than the organization budgeted for. Nick Jenkins, assistant executive director at the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center, acknowledged the squeeze: "We can't stop what we're doing. And it really begins to impact the overall effectiveness of what we're able to do."

To cope with the elevated fuel expenses, the food bank is reallocating funds that would otherwise have supported food purchases and community programs. Jenkins noted that while the organization can create a financial buffer to absorb modest cost increases, the scale of inflation in diesel prices has exceeded planning expectations. "We can create a little bit of a buffer, but when we experience inflation like this with diesel, that goes a little bit beyond what we've planned for," he said.

The impact comes as demand for the food bank's services continues to climb. The organization typically serves 15,000 to 16,000 client visits per month, with projections pointing toward nearly 25,000 visits. The food bank has been expanding its reach and services in recent years, including the development of a client advocate program to connect people with government assistance, mental health services, workforce programs, and other support resources.

Jenkins emphasized the community's role in sustaining the food bank's mission amid the crisis: "They understand the reality that they may not be facing food insecurity but their neighbor may be."

Key players

• Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center: Nonprofit operating refrigerated truck fleet and food distribution services
• Nick Jenkins: Assistant Executive Director, Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center

Why it matters: Record fuel costs threaten to reduce the food bank's ability to purchase and deliver groceries at a time when client demand is rising sharply, potentially leaving more Chesterfield residents without adequate access to food assistance.

Places

• Chesterfield County

Related links

• Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center
• Chesterfield County Government - Community Services

Read the original at NBC12 / WWBT News →

Sources

• Record diesel prices strain Chesterfield food bank