September is Hunger Action Month in the United States, drawing renewed attention to region-wide efforts to reduce food insecurity and improve access to healthy, fresh foods for all in metropolitan Washington.

The COVID-19 pandemic exasperated food insecurity across the United States. While many of the pandemic’s initial impacts have lessened significantly, the Capital Area Food Bank’s (CAFB) 2023 Hunger Report shows many families continue to struggle to access fresh, healthy food. The report cites “ongoing impacts of the pandemic on employment, high rates of inflation, and the roll back of pandemic government assistance programs” as main drivers of hunger in metropolitan Washington. CAFB’s study also found that people of color, households with children, and those earning less than the median income were more likely to report more severe financial impacts from the pandemic and were more likely to experience food insecurity.

COG’s Food and Agriculture Regional Member (FARM) Policy Committee brings together leaders from local agencies and organizations to combat hunger and improve access to fresh, healthy food across the region. Developed through the FARM Policy Committee, the Healthy Food Access Policy Compendium for Metropolitan Washington highlights state and local actions and policies to support food security.

Chair of the FARM Committee and City of Fairfax Councilmember Jon Stehle spoke recently to the Washington Business Journal about the region’s coordinated efforts to combat hunger. Pointing to the far-reaching impacts of hunger, he explained the shared responsibility of a community to improve food security and access to healthy foods.

Healthy food access for all residents helps build a resilient region, and leaders are tackling this issue from all angles to ensure no one slips through the cracks. Earlier this month, Montgomery County unveiled its Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger. The plan recognizes the significant impact hunger has on a child’s ability to perform and participate in school and leverages several programs to reach students and families experiencing food insecurity with greater speed and effectiveness.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to addressing food insecurity in the region. Continued interjurisdictional coordination and increased public awareness around the causes and extent of hunger will be essential to meeting the needs of all residents.

Learn more about how the region’s leaders work together to combat food insecurity on the COG website.