Co-Chairs:
- Mya Price, The Root Cause Coalition and the George Washington University Global Food Institute
- Nick Stavely, FRESHFARM
- Beverley Wheeler, DC Central Kitchen
- Jessica Green, Department of Human Services
Accomplishments:
The Universal Free School Meals Policy Brief (2022): Universal Free School Meals is a policy that can be passed at the federal or state level to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student. Universal free school meals increase access to school meals and reduce stigma for children who rely on free meals. In 2022, the Food Policy Council developed recommendations to bring Universal Free School Meals to DC, with the assistance of Stephanie Schmeltzer, a graduate student at CUNY School of Public Health. See the presentation slides here.
Advocacy for the Nourish DC Collaborative: The FPC advocated for an initiative since 2019 that will support DC small food businesses and entrepreneurs expanding food access in communities where structural racism and disinvestment have led to low food access. Mayor Bowser announced the creation of Nourish DC in January 2021 and the program is now providing loans, grants, and technical assistance to local food businesses in underserved areas.
Advocacy for new, locally-owned grocery stores in Wards 7 and 8: Four new healthy food retail options are developing in Wards 7 and 8, the Wards most underserved by fresh food options. Three of these businesses are locally owned. Check out our 2-page map and description of these businesses.
Emergency Food Response: The FPC has played a critical role in supporting District residents facing food insecurity during several emergencies, including the COVID-19 public health emergency and the 2019 federal government shutdown.
Advocacy Guides: The FPC creates advocacy guides for District residents to testify on bills that expand access to federal nutrition programs, including the WIC Expansion Act of 2018 (passed) and Healthy Parks Act of 2018 (passed), which expands the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program to all eligible Department of Parks and Recreation facilities.
Community Meals: The FPC has co-hosted three community meals in Wards 7 and 8 focused on discussion and engagement with residents most affected by food policies in the District. These meals focused on food access, urban agriculture, and food entrepreneurs.
Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Award: In October 2019, the District was internationally recognized by the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact for its approach for food as medicine programs. The District received the Highest Score Award for its Produce Plus and Produce Prescription programs. Read more about that award here.