The continuation of pandemic electronic benefits transfer (P-EBT) in 2021 provided food security to millions of Americans hit by the pandemic. Although its continuation remains necessary, local leaders might revisit their policies around food security for a more lasting impact. While numbers show a general decline in food insecurity from 2020 to 2021 for the region, Covid-19 has exacerbated the issue especially for Black and Hispanic families, as well as the disabled community.
The hunger crisis does not exist in a vacuum. Rather, it occurs on a spectrum of racial disparities and economic inequalities. Impacts from the rising costs of living, to food, health and transportation deserts, result in one in 10 individuals in D.C. unable to afford or access healthy food. As a family medicine doctor working at an underserved clinic in D.C., I understand this issue firsthand.
For many of my patients, the closest full-service grocery store can be a 2-mile walk or 40-minute bus ride. Indeed,…
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