Access to Nutritious Food

The only way I would eat a couple times was when I would go inside the trash can. Which sounds gross, but sometimes people leave some good stuff. So I would have to eat. Or I would try to panhandle. – Latisha, SOME Client

An estimated 72,600 District residents suffer from persistent hunger or are at risk of hunger. At the same time, obesity rates and, therefore, chronic health problems are increasing. This is particularly true in areas with high poverty rates, where systemic barriers to a healthy diet are more widespread. Barriers include lack of access to nutritious foods and the resources to purchase them.

Client at SOME's Jeremiah House

As a core element of our mission, the SOME Dining Room for the Homeless serves as many as 900 meals a day to hungry individuals and families.

It takes the work of many service organizations like SOME to reach all those who are in need. We have developed a comprehensive Food Assistance Resource for the Homeless to share information about food service providers for homeless and other needy people in Washington, DC. We hope it will help those who are homeless to find their next meal, service providers to make referrals, and advocates to identify unmet needs.

Lack of Access to Healthful Variety

Grocery stores and supermarkets are the usual source of food staples. The District has 24 major chain grocery stores, but only three east of the Anacostia River—the area with the highest poverty rate. As a result, a majority of low-income residents must depend on smaller grocers, convenience stores and carryouts. These tend to have higher prices and a limited selection of foods needed for a healthful diet.

Farmers' markets offer a partial solution. But most are not conveniently located for a vast majority of low-income people, and District permitting rules tend to discourage the establishment of more. Only a few markets have the capability to process electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards—the form in which food stamps are now issued.

SOME and our coalition partners are advocating for the creation of a Fresh Foods Opportunity Bank. This initiative would consolidate and increase funding for a wide variety of small grants to increase the availability of nutritious, affordable foods in low-income neighborhoods and nutrition education for local residents.

We have also partnered in the development of a website to help low-income D.C. residents find out about nutritious, affordable food sources in their neighborhoods. The Food Finder show the locations of sources of free meals, low-cost groceries, places to apply for food stamps, and a variety of other programs.

Facts & Figures

• Hunger & Nutrition in Washington, D.C.

Recent SOME Testimony

• Regarding the Fresh Food Opportunities Bank (April 23, 2008)
• Regarding the Community Heath Administration (April 23, 2008)
• Regarding the Community Health Administration (March 5, 2008)
• Regarding the Public Oversight Roundtable Regarding Poverty Issues (January 16, 2008)
  

Public Statements

• Response to "Living on Food Stamps: It can be done," Washington Jewish Week (October 25, 2007)

Additional Resources