In ward 1, citizens struggle to find healthy and nutritional food for their families

WASHINGTON–Citizens of Washington, D.C., say they are suffering from food insecurity due to inflation, not receiving food stamps, and the lack of access to nutritional food. Multiple grocery stores are in Ward 1’s Columbia Heights area, but they sell genetically modified food, causing citizens to search for nutritional food. 

The lack of food access is causing citizens to seek help from organizations like Martha’s Table during the week to receive food for their families. Genetically modified food is when a food’s DNA is changed on purpose, like seedless watermelons. Food insecurity can cause a number of health issues, such as malnutrition and disease. 

For people to stay healthy, they must consume vegetables, fruit, and protein. Genetically modified food is causing unhealthy practices among citizens. 

Tomus Lyles, a D.C. native, describes how not having the right nutrients can lead to illness. 

“If you don’t eat proper food, you don’t stay healthy, right? That’s really what it boil[s] down to, not getting the proper amounts of food or nutrients, [so] you don’t be sick… food is what help[s] prevent disease, right? So, without food…people can get sick, and they want everybody on pills and drugs,” he said. 

According to Janesse Lewis George, D.C. council member for Ward 4, more than 130,000 residents depend on food stamps. From March to September, they were supposed to receive a $40 million increase in food stamps.

National Geographic informs the D.C. community of how food gardens are the primary producers of nutritional food. Food gardens are when people are given plots to grow flowers and produce together. Even though there are over 30 community gardens within D.C., citizens still lack access to them due to where they live. 

According to the Capital Area Food Bank’s report on hunger, 38% of households have experienced food insecurity as of 2024. 40% of families with children suffer from food insecurity, while 42% include black families. 

Each ward in the city has four or more organizations that provide food –and many organizations offer food on weekdays. In Ward 1 alone, there are four places where citizens can receive food –including Martha’s Table and the YWCA National Capital Area Food Pantry. 

According to Martha’s Table’s website, the organization is located in the Columbia Heights area. It heavily relies on its citizens to support children, strong families, and strong communities. 

Their website also shares that the organization receives funding through donations, fundraisers and monthly gifts. In 2022, they started a program called Strong Families, Strong Futures D.C., which supports mothers. In collaboration with Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), they gave mothers 1.5 million. The program continued, and in 2024, their goal was to distribute $7,500 to D.C. mothers.

Ronald Nickens, a D.C. resident, shares how food trucks helped provide food to many communities across D.C., but since COVID, food trucks have stopped. 

“There used to be food trucks that would come around town…They don’t do food trucks anymore,” he said. 

Several D.C. citizens state they believe that the community could do more. Before the pandemic, community members pitched in and helped those in need. Now, the number of people who help has decreased. 

Anthony Thomas-Davis is the current commissioner of the single-member District, representing the Columbia Heights area. 

According to his website, he is focused on enhancing public safety, fostering small businesses, and promoting good Government, which includes transparency and accountability. He wants to ensure that the Government caters to the community’s needs. 

Nickens states how he sees food insecurity as a manageable issue in D.C. 

“[In] D.C., no one should be going hungry…They [have] so many programs…It’s one of the great[est] cities to live [in],” he said.