New Toolkit Will Assist in Educating D.C. Residents on Federal Nutrition Programs

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2021 — D.C. Hunger Solutions today released the D.C. Federal Nutrition Food Programs toolkit, designed to help community-based organizations, social service and healthcare providers, District agencies, and community members connect low-income households with federal nutrition programs.

Thousands of D.C. residents struggled to put food on the table prior to COVID-19. Since the onset of the pandemic, hunger in D.C. has spiked drastically and had a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx households. Things would be far worse if not for the wide range of programs administered in the district.

Federal nutrition programs are among our nation’s most important and cost-effective public interventions to increase food security and reduce hunger by providing individuals and families access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education.

“Food insecurity and poverty have serious health implications for children and adults,” said Beverley Wheeler, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions. “With this toolkit, our community leaders can play a key role in ensuring children, young adults, adults, and older adults can connect with the right providers to help gain access to the nutrition they need for their health and wellbeing,” she said.

These programs help many working families afford healthy, nutritious food and continue to afford costs related to housing, childcare, medical care, and more.

The toolkit also includes information for applying for:

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC),
• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (Senior FMNP),
• WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP),
• School Nutrition Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Afterschool Nutrition Programs
• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP; known locally as DC Summer Meals Program),
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP),
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP),
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and
• Older Adult Nutrition Programs.

The toolkit was made in partnership with DC Department of Health, DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, DC Department of Human Services, DC Public Schools, and DC Department of Aging and Community Living.

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About D.C. Hunger Solutions
D.C. Hunger Solutions, founded in 2002 as an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), works to create a hunger-free community and improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income people in the District of Columbia. To learn more about D.C. Hunger Solutions, visit www.dchunger.org.

About D.C. Department of Health
The District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health)promotes health, wellness and equity, across the District, and protects the safety of residents, visitors and those doing business in our nation’s capital. 

About D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the state education agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s traditional and public charter schools to achieve its key functions.

About D.C. Public Schools
DC Public Schools provides rigorous and joyful learning experiences to more 51,000 students in Washington, DC. Together, DC Public Schools teachers, leaders, and families work to make every student feel loved, challenged, and prepared to positively influence society and thrive in life.

About D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living
The Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) serves District residents 60 and older, adults living with disabilities, and those who care for them. In partnership with more than 20 community-based organizations across the city, we offer more than 40 free or low-cost programs to help all District residents live boldly at any age, stage, or ability.

About D.C. Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services ensures that residents have their fundamental needs met and access to the supports and services that allow them to prosper. We seek to accomplish this by creating a system of care for youth; supporting families in the TANF program to help grow their economic security and thrive; continuing public assistance for those in need; working to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring; and improving customer service.