Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Are you looking for that final special something? Or maybe you’re a Christmas Eve shopper like my uncle, Donnie (hi, Donnie). If you’re still on the hunt for the holidays, today’s lead story is especially for you. I’m so glad you’re here.

P.S. Our parent company kindly gives us time to spend with loved ones during the holidays, so we’ll be on a lighter newsletter schedule. You’ll see us in your inbox on Dec. 22, 23, and 30. We’ll be back to our regular schedule on Jan. 5.

A Bowl of Good’s Bangkok Bowl, featuring tofu, cucumber, peanuts, and a silky sauce. (A Bowl of Good)

By Dorothy Scott

Here’s what you need to know: Living in Virginia means we have easy access to fresh, local food that fuels us just as much as it tastes delectable. 

Our top picks:

• If you’re in the Fredericksburg area and looking for a gluten-free sweet treat, we’ve got just the haven for you: Kickshaws Gluten-free Bakery. From brownies to full wedding cakes, Kickshaws has it all, including savory gluten-free bakes like perfectly bouncy bagels. 

• Sometimes, you just need a hug in the form of nourishing, comforting food, and folks in Harrisonburg know they can always count on A Bowl of Good to provide it for them. The bowls here come with pasta, rice, rich proteins, and fresh veggies, but folks following a gluten-free diet have several distinct options—at least seven that we can count on the restaurant’s menu.

• The Grapevine is Richmond’s resident Greek-Italian restaurant, combining an upscale setting and exquisite food with affordable prices. There are many allergen-friendly offerings, thanks to using gluten-free pastas. For instance, the chicken marsala is served with gluten-free penne.

Finding some tasty options? We’ve got even more at the link below.

School breakfast programs in Virginia are helping lower absenteeism rates. (SeventyFour/Shutterstock)

By Sam Cohen

In Virginia, free school breakfast programs are doing more than just feeding the kids—they’re also reducing chronic absenteeism rates. 

According to the Virginia Department of Education, “Chronic absenteeism decreased from 20% in 2022-2023 to 14.8% in 2024-2025, which is a 26% reduction to date. 

All K-12 students had 2,098,669 fewer absent days, which led to an additional 14,690,683 hours of instruction for Virginia students.” 

While a variety of factors contribute to the decrease, one of the primary driving forces has been the accessibility of free, nutritious food for thousands of students across the state.

Did your favorite make the cut? Mine slid in fifth place!

Check the list:

5. “Christmas Vacation”

4. “Elf”
3. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
2. “The Polar Express”
1. “Home Alone”

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