Our Story

The Market at Virginia Tech supports food access for our community in ways that respect the diverse needs and dignity of those served.

The Market at Virginia Tech is an initiative of Student Affairs designed to provide food assistance to students who, for whatever reason, have a hard time obtaining regular, healthy meals. This situation could be the result of a short-term disruption in finances, residing in a food desert, or a lack of access to other financial assistance.

When Hema and Mehul Sanghani learned how many Virginia Tech students were struggling to have enough healthy and nutritious meals, they felt compelled to act. Hema Sanghani is a member of the Virginia Tech Class of 1999 who earned her degree in finance. Mehul Sanghani is a member of the Virginia Tech Class of 1998 who earned bachelor’s degrees in industrial and systems engineering and psychology. He is CEO and founder of Octo Consulting Group, a nationally recognized technology and consulting firm based in Reston, Virginia. Mehul Sanghani is a native of Blacksburg, home of Virginia Tech’s largest campus. Hema Sanghani grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, a less than two-hour drive from that campus.

Supported by a $1.5 million donation from the alumni couple, the university launched The Market at Virginia Tech to enhance food access for Hokies.

The program is run by Virginia Tech Student Affairs, which encourages any undergraduate or graduate students who faces food insecurity to contact the Dean of Students office for help from this program or other assistance.