Percent Living in Low Access Grocery Store Areas Map

Data Source: Open Data DC and American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates. Why This Matters Living further from full-service grocery stores can force residents to shop for food at locations that are more expensive or have fewer healthy options, leading to worse health outcomes for conditions such as obesity or diabetes. Beyond basic nutrition, food is an integral part of culture. Having access to a wide array of culturally relevant foods has been shown to improve well-being among Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities. Across the United States, predominantly-Black communities have fewer supermarkets than predominantly white and Hispanic communities. A pattern of disinvestment limits the availability of fresh and healthy foods. The District Response The Food Access Fund (FAF) Grant increases equitable access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food by supporting the opening of new grocery stores in areas with low food access, with priority given to locations in Ward 7 or Ward 8. The Produce Plus Program provides financial support for residents with low access to fresh foods to spend at local farmers markets. The SUN Bucks program provides additional grocery-buying benefits to income-eligible families when schools are closed for the summer and children no longer have access to free or reduced-cost meals at school. The DC Food Policy Council convenes six working groups, including the Food Access & Equity working group that aims to communicate and collaborate with residents to increase awareness of District food benefit programs and healthy food retail.