DC Hunger Solutions - In the News

D.C. Hunger Solutions - In the News

2011

Food Stamp Challenge participants step into the shoes of the poor
"The program is the 'number one defense against hunger' in the District, benefiting about 140,000 people, or nearly one in every four city residents, said Alexandra Ashbrook, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions." (Washington Post, November 4, 2011)

D.C.’s ‘food deserts’ sprout fresh fruits and vegetables
Through a grant from the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development, small businesses in food deserts can apply for as much as $1,500 for refrigerators, shelving and other equipment to display and sell fresh produce. So far, 21 stores have applied to the Healthy Corners program, which D.C. Central Kitchen is operating with DC Hunger Solutions and the city’s Department of Health. (Washington Post, September 29, 2011)

Mealtime in the Summertime
“If we don’t make a concerted effort, the educational achievement gap widens, the hunger gap widens and we’re really doing a disservice to the community,” said Ashbrook, commenting on the importance of making sure lower income children do not fall through the cracks during the summer. (D.C. Street Sense, July 20, 2011)

Mayor Vincent Gray promotes health and safety for DC children
Mayor Gray and partners including the Walmart Foundation and D.C. Hunger Solutions recognize the Free Summer Meals Program top national ranking.(Washington Examiner, June 23, 2011)

Hitting the Streets with Summer Food Outreach (pdf)
For the first-ever “Washington DC Summer Food Service Program Outreach Day,” D.C. Hunger Solutions asked for volunteers to help distribute posters, fliers, and cards with summer meal site information all over the city. (USDA/FNS E-Updates, June 21, 2011)

For Teens, A Healthier Life Is Not Always In Reach
"If your choices are taking two or three buses and then paying someone $20 to get home to go to the grocery store versus a couple of dollars to eat in your own neighborhood, the choice is obvious for someone operating on a very limited budget," says Kristen Roberts with D.C. Hunger Solutions, the group that authored the food deserts study. (WAMU, May 2, 2011)

Hardship on rise for middle class
"It is not just a lack of funds that can cause malnutrition for those enrolled in [SNAP/Food Stamps]. 'They may live in something called a ‘food desert’ where there’s a shortage of healthy food, and if it’s available, it’s often at a price,' says Alexandra Ashbrook...of DC Hunger Solutions..." (Financial Times, March 7, 2011)
D.C. Hunger Solutions is also in this Financial Times video...

2010

Dinner bell follows class bell at some D.C. schools
"'We knew that a lot of kids were only eating at school,' said Jeff Mills, director of food services for D.C. schools. And in some cases, 'they were taking food home to feed their families,' said Alexandra Ashbrook, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions, a group that works to improve nutrition and health for low-income residents." (Washington Post, October 19, 2010)

Cheh introduces the FEED DC Act to fight obesity by improving access to healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods
"'D.C. Hunger Solutions applauds Councilmember Cheh for her leadership and commitment to closing the grocery gap. Limited access to full-service grocers impacts the health and well-being of hungry families. Closing the grocery gap makes sense for struggling households and makes economic sense for the District,' said Alexandra Ashbrook, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions. 'The FEED DC legislation will accelerate efforts to close this gap by prioritizing full-service grocery development, jumpstarting public private partnerships, and coordinating the work of District stakeholders to bring more full-service grocery stores to food deserts. This bill will make a huge difference for low-income households and the city overall.'" (Mary Cheh press release, July 13, 2010)
New D.C. Bill Aims To Improve Food Options In Low-Income Areas (WAMU, July 13, 2010)

Transforming Urban Food Deserts
Hear what DCHS Director Alex Ashbrook had to say as a panelist on WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show. (WAMU, July 7, 2010)

In The Washington Post: "D.C. Council launching campaign against childhood obesity"
Alex Ashbrook, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions, called in-classroom breakfast a possible "magic bullet of school reform" because some studies link a good breakfast to increased test scores and fewer visits to the school nurse. "If you want to do an intervention that will pay off, make sure every kid is fueled with a good breakfast," Ashbrook said. (Washington Post, May 2, 2010)

Councilmember Cheh's Healthy Schools Act Unanimously Passes Council Committees and First Reading
"Two out of every five District households with children say they were unable to afford enough food for their families last year," said Alexandra Ashbrook, Director, DC Hunger Solutions. "By supporting access to healthy school meals, the Healthy Schools Act will help struggling families and ensure that all children get the nutritious food they need to learn, stay healthy, and ultimately thrive. The bill also will help move us closer to achieving President Barack Obama's goal to end childhood hunger by 2015 and the goals of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign."

Introduction of SNAP Expansion Act of 2010 (pdf) (Office of Mary M Cheh - March 16, 2010)
Remarks for SNAP Event at Bread for the City (pdf) (Office of Mary M Cheh - April 6, 2010)

Council member Michael Brown Extends Food Stamp Program - "Alexandra Ashbrook, executive director of D.C. Hunger Solutions, commended Brown for helping struggling residents like Perkins fight poverty and hunger. (Washington Informer, April 15, 2010)

D.C. Hunger Solutions on News Channel 8 - DCHS Director Alex Ashbrook on News Channel 8's "News Talk" discussing the recent food hardship report, the importance of school breakfast and lunch, afterschool suppers, and child nutrition reauthorization. (January 27, 2010)

2009

Meal program aims to keep kids hungry for learning - D.C. Hunger Solutions brought Washington Post reporter Bill Turque to Southeast Academy to explore the benefits of breakfast in the classroom. (November 16, 2009)

The Last Hope for Hungry Kids - The Washington Post covers summer nutrition programs in D.C. (May 30, 2009)

New Food Stamp Act to Aid in Decreasing D.C. Hunger - The Washington Examiner covers the Food Stamp Expansion Act of 2009 introduced in the D.C. City Council. (March 12, 2009)

Food insecurity in the District - Greater Greater Washington profiles the DC Food Finder. (February 5, 2009)

Tough choices for America's hungry - features a profile of a SNAP/Food Stamp recipient in the District that D.C. Hunger Solutions helped, and a quote by Jim Weill, President, Food Research and Action Center.

2008

DC Healthy Store Initiative Summit: A Call for Hunger Solutions (pdf) - "East of the River" article on DCHS's Corner Store Initiative and the Corner Store Initiative Summit.

In D.C., Where Kids Live Sets the Tone for Weight-Loss Success - Washington Post article on the District's obesity epidemic. (May 20, 2008)

Food Stamps Buy Less - CNN video featuring Alexis Ashbrook, Director of D.C. Hunger Solutions. (May 6, 2008)

Food Desert - Washington Business Journal article on D.C. Hunger Solutions’ Corner Store Initiative. (February 13, 2008)