DC Food Policy Council June Newsletter

 

DC Food Policy Council June Newsletter 

Happy Summer

Food Policy Reducing Food Waste Working Group Meeting Tonight (Virtually)

• Time: 4pm
• Join via this Teams Meeting Link

During the meeting, we will share a DC budget update, progress update on CY25 priorities, Langley Elementary School Food Waste Audit Results + DCPS Next Steps, and discuss Gleaning/Food Rescue Opportunities. 

Please email rachel.manning@dc.gov and erika.nunez@dc.gov if you have any issues joining.

 

Summer Food Resources 

As schools wrap up for the summer and we all manage this heat wave, a reminder that the District is full of summer food resources:

• SUN Bucks: Pre-approved children have already received SUN Bucks on existing SNAP cards or received new cards in the mail. Folks who have not received their SUN Bucks but may be eligible can check eligibility and apply starting on June 27 here
• Youth Summer Meals: Young people 18 and under can receive free meals at 100+ sites across the city, with no ID required. Find your nearest site here.
• Veggie Giveaway at DPR Farms: Pick up free vegetables 4 times a week at Lederer Gardens, Powell, and Edgewood. Learn more here.
• Use Food Benefits at local farmers markets: Find markets near you that accept SNAP SUNBucks, Produce Plus, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program- many also double. A map of all farmers markets as well as produce incentive programs are here.

Attend the Food Navigator training to help your neighbors with food programs

Department of Health is hosting training sessions for food educators and community members to learn ways to support shoppers effectively use their food budgets. This virtual training is designed for anyone working directly with community members to provide education and resources related to food. It will cover the federal and local food access programs in the District, including the new SUN Bucks program and farmers' market benefit programs, tips on ways to prevent food waste, and how to engage in the DC2050 plan. Register for the trainings below and share with your network:

• Tuesday, July 1: 10:00 – 11:30 AM Register here

Sprouts Healthy Communities Grant Opportunity 

There’s still time to apply for a Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation summer grant. The deadline has been extended to Friday, June 27. These grants support hyper-local schools and nonprofit organizations in Sprouts communities that help children or adults build healthy habits and form positive connections to nutrition and wellness. If your organization is making a difference in your community, don’t miss this opportunity–apply today!

For more information click here 

Applications are now OPEN for EatsPlace’s Food Acceleration Program

This program is designed specifically to transform food concepts into retail products. This program is tailor-made for Food Retailers and Food Enterprises who are ready to develop and launch a Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) product. Whether you have a concept or an existing test product, this is your chance to gain the expertise, network, and strategic guidance needed to navigate the complexities of product development, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing within the CPG landscape. Participants get access to commercial kitchen, group and individual coaching sessions, and an opportunity to pitch your business to investors and win investment from Eats Place. Learn more and apply here.   

Food Policy Office Hours

The Food Policy Director holds virtual office hours — now on Tuesdays from 10-11am. This is an opportunity to bring questions or feedback about DC food policy topics. The office hours are informal, and the topics covered will depend on who joins each month. The next office hours will be on Tuesday July 1st at 10am. Please register here.