Closing the Food Gap: Increasing Access Affordability Sustainability and Security

Access to food that is nutritious, affordable, and produced in a fair and sustainable way is critical to the health and prosperity of communities. Food systems are an interconnected network of people, policies, business, the natural environment, and infrastructure. And, while cities are uniquely suited to create an ecosystem to enable sustainable food production and distribution, many barriers and challenges remain and have significant consequences. For example, the inability to access nutritious and affordable food contributes to income inequality and increased health disparities. Today, more than one-in-ten District residents have difficulty accessing healthy, affordable food. To address this, the District has undertaken significant efforts to expand urban agriculture and drive the development of affordable, quality food options in all eight Wards.  Making closer connections for residents between food and health, increasing local agency and autonomy, and enhancing accessibility to healthy food is critical for the region’s future growth, health, sustainability and prosperity.



This session will explore steps being taken to promote food security in the District of Columbia. It will highlight collaborative efforts that are underway and that can be enhanced to expand urban agriculture, increase food access, grow the food economy and make lasting connections between public health and food. It will also discuss innovative initiatives being pursued between government, the private sector, non-profit organizations and neighborhoods to improve the overall well-being and health of communities, increase food options, expand delivery systems, and engage residents to create a more equitable, accessible and secure food network.



Fifty attendees of this panel will receive a $10 voucher for the FRESHFARM farmers market. FRESHFARM works to build community around fresh, local, seasonal food. FRESHFARM operates 15 producers-only farmers markets in the D.C. area, representing farmers and producers from the states of the Mid-Atlantic, and runs the FoodPrints program in 13 D.C. Public Schools, which brings gardening, cooking, and nutrition education to elementary school students. FRESHFARM supports small local farmers in growing their businesses and helps our most vulnerable neighbors access healthy food. FRESHFARM also believes that what we eat matters and how we access it does, too! An additional 50 attendees will receive $10 vouchers at 5 p.m. Be sure to also join us at the National Portrait Gallery at 5:30 p.m. for a tour of the Penn Quarter location FRESHFARM farmers market!